TREE SMUGGLERS ARRESTED

Madikeri June 22 In a swift move, the Siddapur police have arrested 6 tree smugglers. They have seized three vehicles used for the illegal transport.The arrested accused are H.K.Janardan and Stefen of Chennyanakote village,Rafique of mandimohalla, Mysore,,Sidda and dasa of Siddpur Hobli villages.All these accused persons were arrested at k.SR.T.C.stand, Mysore.Main accused Oscgar is absconding.T he accused were waned in many illegal tree felling cases The group had cut trees in Madikeri, siddaput, Maldare, Murnad and Shanivarasanthe divions.

The vehicles seized were all stolen by the accused for smuggling purpose. Police have seized Tata Sumo(KA-28 N 7000),Commander Jeep (KA-12 M 8883),, Byke (KA-17 J.6257). Police team under the direction from the S.P.Thrilokchandra included DYSP rajanna,CPI Krishnakumar,SI Santosh,,Probationery SDI Lava and others acted.

PHOTO: THE ACUSED (ALL SITTING) AND THE POLICE TEAM (ALL STANDING).

RAIN STOPPED VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN MAKUTTA ROAD.

Madikeri June 22 The monsoon has just entered Kodagu,the highest rainfall Malnad district in Karnataka. If the regular rain shows its’ strength, there is possibility for Kodagu-Kerala border blockage in Makutta area. Already the Kerala buses stopped their bus services from today through this link road.

It is the curse the needy people of both the states facing since decades. Crores of rupees have been sanctioned. Complete metalling done. The yielding result is always a flop during rainy season. Technically analyzing: the fact reveals that the regular falling of tree branches, leaves on the road causes corrosion , affecting the surface and creating hollow pot holes every where. The Makutta whole area is surrounded by the reserve forest. The roadside trees are also not topped before rainy season. The condition of road will be spoiled during rainy season.

Already the number of vehicles moving is reduced to more than 50%. The heavy vehicles are rare seen here. If the road is in condition more than 600 goods vehicles and about 30 fish carrying vehicles will ply here. Now these vehicles could be seen in meager number. Even, the regular bus services affected. Kerala bus services which were almost reduced to less than 25 %.Since a week, The kerala State Road transport has completely stopped the services from today.. The Maleyali speaking residents in Kodagu are badly worried for the non availability of Kerala Newspapers due to conveyance problem.

. The Makutta road maintenance is being handed over to the contractor Kabir Muhammad. During 2004-05 the contractor failed to do the maintenance work. During 2006 KRDCL has sanctioned Rs. 22 lakh for road maintenance. .The amount was utilized for filling up the potholes in just 20 K.Ms. For this year also Rs. 70 lakh has been sanctioned through CRF. Only 3.5 k.ms near perumabadi gate has been finished using the tar material.

Recently, the engineers and other experts roughly calculated the overall estimation as Rs. 12.8 crores for complete reconstruction of 21 K.M.Road..This includes small bridges, trenches etc; The PWD officials put the blame on the contractor that he is not interested in continuing the road maintenance work. The engineers say only 3.5 k.m road is being repaired and other areas are being filled with loose soil!

The local M.L.A Basavaraju discloses that proposals are sent to Govt. for the sanctioning of Rs. 12.8 crores. The Ex. Minister Suma vasanth alleges that the representatives are continuing their assurances in vain.

The worst condition of the road had caused the stoppage of crores of rupees commercial transactions due to the non supply of the various commodities between the two states through this border area.

PHOTO: BAD AND WORST CONDITION OF MAKUTTA ROAD..