Lockdown 3: KCCI urges state govt to consider DK & Udupi districts as single unit

Team Udayavani, May 7, 2020, 3:22 PM IST

Mangaluru: KCCI has urged the state government to consider Dakshina Kannada and Udupi as a single district for allowing smooth movement of people.

The request comes in the backdrop of restrictions imposed on inter-district movement, amid the lockdown to contain spread of coronavirus. While terming the recent relaxations in the lockdown to facilitate economic and industrial activities as a welcome measure, the KCCI said that the inter-district movement restriction poses a hindrance to kick starting of industries and commerce.

KCCI President Issac Vas, in a letter written to Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar says, “Even though the erstwhile Dakshina Kannada district was bifurcated in 1997 for administration purposes, the two districts are actually an urban agglomeration with most of the population residing in suburbs/towns. Office Staff, technical crew and labour of many industries reside in either district and commute daily for work within an efficient transport system.

The present restriction on Inter-district movement in view of the Lockdown is hindering the kick starting of industries and commerce. Workers are deprived of their livelihood and Industry and business owners are finding it challenging to move forward. To add to this, the migrant labour is moving back to their native places further aggravating the situation. Many Industries and Commercial establishments have requested us to take up this matter with the Government. Hence, we kindly request you to consider these two districts as one geographical area for the movement of people and private vehicles.”

Pointing out to the state government decision to consider Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Ramanagara, Chikkaballapur and Kolar as a single unit, Vas requested to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi too as a single unit to facilitate movement of people for employment and business in either districts.