Mangaluru: The state cabinet has approved an estimated Rs 13-crore development project for the Guruvayanakere–Uppinangady state highway, a key road passing through challenging terrain in Dakshina Kannada district.The clearance was accorded at the cabinet meeting held Thursday at Vidhana Soudha, district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said.The highway, marked by steep slopes, hills and sharp curves, had been severely damaged during heavy rains last year, causing serious inconvenience to commuters and long-distance travellers. Following a spot inspection, the issue was taken up with the cabinet on priority, Rao said.“The road was completely damaged, creating major hurdles for the public. After bringing this to the notice of the cabinet, approval has now been granted. This will ease traffic movement for people in the coastal region,” he said.Alongside the road project, the cabinet also approved the installation of new high-tech MRI machines in six district hospitals — Davanagere, Mysuru, Dharwad, Bagalkot, Bengaluru Urban and Ramanagara — at a total cost of ₹81 crore. The initiative aims to strengthen free diagnostic services and improve access to quality healthcare for the poor.Thanking the CM, Rao said the cabinet meeting reflected the government’s commitment to fulfilling promises, with important decisions taken for both Dakshina Kannada district and the public health sector.
