Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, April 8: The district administration has proposed the construction of a flyover in Brahmavar, discussed during a meeting with the officials of National Highway Authority of India held at the Udupi Zilla Panchayat on Tuesday, April 8. The work is expected to commence in September.
Deputy Commissioner Dr K Vidya Kumari, speaking at the meeting, said, “Repeated issues like malfunctioning streetlights, drainage problems, and, most notably, accidents, continue to plague national highways. Recently, in Brahmavar, a 13-year-old boy lost his life in an accident. Following this, several protesters demonstrated and submitted a memorandum to the district administration. In the last two years, 23 accidents have occurred in Brahmavar alone. A technical committee was formed, which carried out a feasibility test. Based on their report, a flyover will be constructed in Brahmavar. The same committee will also carry out a feasibility test for a flyover in Thekkatte.”
MP for Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Kota Srinivas Poojary, said, “The issue of the National Highway from Hejamadi to Byndoor was discussed in the meeting. I have instructed the district administration and the National Highway Authority of India to submit a request for the construction of a flyover from Dharmavaram to Mahesh Hospital in Brahmavara. The people have also requested a service road from Badragiri Circle to Uppinkote. The National Highway Authority of India has agreed to construct a 200-metre service road immediately, but I have directed that work begin from Uppinkote to Badragiri. As the process for constructing the flyover is lengthy, we need proper planning and tendering, with construction to begin in September 2025. In the meantime, a service road will be constructed, and police officials, along with the National Highway Authority of India, will hold meetings to prevent accidents. The tender for foot-over bridges at Nittoor, near Mahesh Hospital, Kumbashi, Yermal, and near Vivek High School was delayed, but I have instructed them to start immediately and will follow up on the progress.”
The panchayat PDOs and presidents raised concerns about the dumping of waste by street vendors. In response, the district administration has directed officials to issue notices to such vendors and take strict action in accordance with the Panchayat Raj Act.
The delay in starting the construction of the approved underpass at Katapady was also raised. DC Dr K Vidya Kumari explained, “While various construction projects are underway in the district, starting the underpass construction at Katapady would worsen traffic issues, which is why the work has been delayed.”
The tahsildars have been instructed to impose penalties on contractors who fail to complete work properly. Additionally, if the National Highway is not properly connected to other roads, Tahsildars are directed to report the issue to the district administration.
The district administration also instructed Tahsildars to conduct joint inspections with the EO and submit a report within a week. Following the submission of the report, deputy commissioner Dr K Vidya Kumari and superintendent of police Dr Arun Kumar will carry out a joint inspection.
During the meeting, various panchayat presidents and PDOs also raised the need for a service road along their respective National Highway stretches and for improvements in drainage facilities.
The meeting was attended by project director of the National Highway Authority of India, Javid Ajma, superintendent of police Dr Arun Kumar, CEO of Zilla Panchayat Pratheek Bayal, PDOs, panchayat presidents and district officials among others.