CAUVERY JATRA ROUND THE CORNER; WORKS REMAIN INCOMPLETE;

Madikeri September 26

CAUVERY JATRA IS ROUND THE CORNER. The Cauvery development authority has spent rupees 10.50 crores to rejuvenate the twin towns Talacauvery and Bhagamandala. But yet, the rejuvenation remains incomplete. The towns look shattered with construction materials and half carved stones strewn all over.

Thousands of pilgrims will take holy dip during Talacauvery Jatra to be held on October 18 during Teertodbhav. The authority has commenced the rejuvenation work three years ago and kept on promising that the works will be over by October, each year. Though the earlier promise was to hand over the temples by May 2007, people find incomplete work and piled up debris and work materials. Welcome arch, Gopuram at two towns are yet to be made. Dressing building, toilets and other constructions are either half done or yet to begin.

The first estimation for the work was rupees 10.50 crores. Later the authority submitted an additional request for rupees five crores. The government has sanctioned the second request also. But the works are going on in a tardy speed.

Devotees are unhappy at Bhagamandala as the contractors have used Burma wood instead of teak wood in the re construction of temples.The agreement was to use teak wood. They stated that the decades old original wood was very thick and the present wood may not last longer. The old wood worth more than rupees ten lakh was thrown out side and is being destroyed in the rain. They could have auctioned the wood, they opine. The temple has a deserted look as the copper plates are not attached to the roof. The delay in work is irking the residents who say that the tourists and pilgrims are returning disappointed as the temples are not ready in spite of spending crores of rupees. The district administration is asked to speed up the work. They alleged that the temple contractor has taken up many other contracts of construction in the district and is delaying the work with a purpose.

ELECTION HELD FOR SOMWARPET TP;

The election for the posts of president and vice president was held at Somwarpet.

Geetha Basappa of Hardoor has become the president and M.K.Pemmaiah has become the vice president.Geetha basappa was serving as the vice president earlier. Both of them are representing Congress.