Udupi, (The Hindu): Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister of State for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, said on Thursday that priority would be given to quality in all the works being executed under the Nagarothana Scheme in Udupi.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for widening the Kalsanka Bridge at a cost of 75 lakh here.

The widening of the bridge has been pending as vehicles moving to Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple use it and struggle to reach the Rajangana parking space.

The bridge is located over the Indrani rivulet on the Udupi-Manipal Road (National Highway 169A) and it is on this bridge four major roads meet.

One road leads Manipal, another to Malpe, third to Gundibail joining the National Highway 66 and the fourth leads to the Rajangana parking space near the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple.

There is also a narrow road leading to Badagupete near this bridge.

Mr. Madhwaraj said that the present bridge at Kalsanka was small.

As a result, it was creating traffic snarls to the devotees and vehicles moving towards the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple. The widening of the bridge would facilitate smooth movement of traffic on the busy Udupi-Manipal Road.

The widening of bridge would also facilitate proper flow of water under it during the monsoon, he said.

The Minister said that the widening of the bridge should be completed soon. The work executed should be of high quality. If there were any complaints about the work, stern action would be taken against the officers and contractor concerned, he said.

Mr. Madhwaraj also laid the foundation stones for 34 works in different parts of the city to be developed at a cost of 3 crore.

Meenakshi Bannanje, President of Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC), Harmis Naronha, Chairman of CMC Standing Committee, Celine Karkada, Ramesh Poojary, Shashikanth Kundar, Lata Sherigar, Vijay Jathanna, municipal councillors, D. Manjunathaiah, CMC Commissioner, were among those present.