Udupi:  District In-charge Minister S Angara laid emphasis on religious harmony after hoisting the tricolour and receiving the guard of honour from armed reserve police during the Republic Day celebrations at Ajjerkad Maidan on Thursday.

While delivering the Republic Day address, he spoke on the importance of communal harmony to counter external forces engaged in terrorism.

‘’It is time to move beyond caste, community, language, religious divisions and focus on the issues that divide Indians. To build a strong India based on its unique heritage, different religions and faiths must work together, he added.’’

He said Rs 279.91 crore was set aside for the development of fish industry.

‘’A total of 100 speed boats have been introduced in the state at a cost of Rs 128 crore. Rs 2,000 crore has been set aside for desilting works at five ports. In the district, 81 vented dams covering 1842.76 hectares of agricultural land are being built at a cost of Rs 107 crore,’’ he added.

The minister said that Hejmadi port was being built at a cost of 188.73 crore and that construction will resume once the necessary land in the area is acquired.

The multi-village drinking water scheme covers 122 villages (total cost Rs 1,600 crore) and will benefit 1,904 households in Kaup and Hebri, he added. The minister added that technical approval has been received for the development works to be introduced from Hangarukatte to Manipal at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore under the Sagarmala project.

Over 10,86,815 people have received Covid vaccines, with 3,07,073 of them receiving booster doses, he said.