KARWAR: Gangadhar Bhat, MLA, has alleged that Karwar and Joida taluks continue to be neglected.

He told presspersons here recently that despite the establishment of two national projects — Kaiga Atomic Power Station and Sea Bird naval project — near Karwar with an investment of over Rs. 10,000 crores, the taluk has to contend with bad roads, lack of drinking water facility and frequent power failures.

The district hospital, which should have had 29 doctors on its roll, has nine doctors working there. Sea erosion at the Rabindranath Tagore beach is severe. But no action has been taken so far to prevent it, he said.

The MLA said that Joida taluk is characterised by shortage of teachers in schools and medical staff in health centres. There is no proper transport facility in the taluk.

No electricity

Although Supa dam, the heart of the Kali hydel project, is located in Joida, many villages in the taluk do not have electricity. It is in this context that the people of Karwar and Joida are insisting that the taluks be merged with the neighbouring State, he added.

"I have voiced the feelings of the people in the Legislative Assembly during the last session to draw the attention of the Government to the problems in the two taluks," he said.

Mr. Bhat said he has written to the Deputy Commissioner suggesting that the district administration be asked to prepare a master plan for the development of infrastructure in Karwar. He said some development works such as the construction of underground drainage and fruit and flower markets in the town are of a poor quality. The officials involved in the implementation of these works should be responsible for this.

He said he has discussed with Industries Minister P.G.R. Sindhia the industrial development of the two taluks. Mr. Sindhia promised to provide Rs. 25 crores to develop industries in backward taluks, including Joida. The Minister also hinted at the establishment of two industries in Karwar.

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