Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Sep 4: Only 30% of work is completed out of the three-kilometer four-lane road project between Padil and Pumpwell in the city in two years. It may take one more year to complete the work.
In this work, more than the shortage of funds, movement of equipment has become a big challenge. Negligence of local people’s representative, concerned government officials and lack of coordination between various departments has reportedly delayed the project inordinately.
An estimate of Rs 29.30 crore is made for the four-lane concrete road from Padil to Pumpwell, a stretch of just three km. However, now the estimate is said to rise to Rs 32 crore due to the unnecessary delay.
The work was flagged off in February 2022. As per the deadline, the work should get over in March 2024. However, due to the non-cooperation of various departments concerned with GAIL pipeline, drinking water pipeline, underground drainage pipeline and shifting of electricity poles, the project may well be delayed by another year or so.
So far, only 30% work is completed. Drinking water pipeline is passing just beside the road. It could not be removed. Hence, there is some modification in the design. In addition, a pipeline related to Jalasiri project is also present in the stretch of road. Land acquisition is also pending is some areas. There is no grant too for the same.
Fish market shifting at Nagori is on hold. Without shifting the fish market, the project will not proceed. Accusations are heard that local people’s representatives are not in favour of shifting the fish market. Even shops by the side of the road at Nagori need to be vacated.
In this project, the underground drainage and footpath is given first priority.
Social worker G K Bhat says, “Generally after the completion of the road project, work of footpath and underground drainage is done. However, in the Padil-Pumpwell road work, underground drainage and footpath work is done first and later concrete work is being handled. Hence, even if the project is delayed, the quality of work is good.”