Bhatkal: The century-old social organisation Majlis-e-Islah-wa-Tanzeem in Bhatkal felicitated Karnataka Minister for Minority Welfare, Haj and Wakf U.T. Khader and Assembly Deputy Speaker and Bhatkal MLA Mankal S. Vaidya at a civic reception held here.

 

Representatives of educational institutions, social and religious organisations and mosque jamaats felicitated the two leaders separately at the event.

Addressing the gathering after receiving the felicitation, Khader said development should not be measured merely by the construction of roads, bridges and large buildings, but by creating an atmosphere where children from Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Dalit communities live together in harmony, transcending caste and religious differences.

 

Khader announced that an international-level Islamic Museum would soon be established at the Haj Bhavan in Bengaluru. The museum will feature exhibits showcasing the life of Prophet Muhammad and his message of humanity, with the aim of introducing these values to future generations, he said.

 

He also assured that approval would soon be given for the construction of a dedicated, well-equipped Mother and Child Care block at the Bhatkal taluk hospital to provide separate healthcare facilities for mothers and children.

The minister further announced plans to facilitate safe and affordable Umrah pilgrimages through the Karnataka Haj Committee, with a proposal to organise such journeys at lower cost every month. He also said the foundation stone for a Haj Bhavan in Mangaluru would be laid soon.

 

Speaking on development works in the constituency, Mankal Vaidya said projects worth Rs 104 crore were currently under implementation in the Bhatkal Assembly constituency.

 

He said a Rs 32-crore project aimed at providing a permanent solution to the constituency's long-standing power problems was nearing completion, with around 90 per cent of the work already completed. The project is expected to be completed within the next two to three months, after which residents would get uninterrupted power supply, he said.

 

A Rs 37-crore drinking water project, involving the laying of pipelines and construction of a large water tank on Anjuman Hill, is also under way, Vaidya said. The project has been designed keeping in mind the projected population and water requirements of Bhatkal over the next 20 years.

He said Bhatkal's long-standing demand for an urban local body had been fulfilled with the formation of the municipality, which was upgraded into a full-fledged municipal council by including Heble and Jali areas. A comprehensive action plan involving around Rs 200 crore has been prepared for the overall development of the municipality, he added.

 

To address flooding during the monsoon, desilting of the Sarabi stream will be undertaken at a cost of Rs 10 crore under the Minor Irrigation Department. The contract has been finalised and work will begin once rainfall subsides, Vaidya said.

 

He also announced that Sagar Road and Bundar Road would be converted into concrete roads at a cost of Rs 25 crore, with the roads designed for a service life of around 25 years.

 

Vaidya further said the five guarantee schemes of the state government were resulting in the release of around Rs 960 crore annually to the Bhatkal Assembly constituency, contributing to the economic empowerment of poorer sections.

 

Tanzeem president Inayatullah Shabandari presided over the programme. Anjuman Education Institutions president Muhammad Yunus Kazia delivered the welcome address, while Tanzeem general secretary Azeezurrahman Nadvi proposed a vote of thanks. Advocate Imran Lanka compered the programme.