Mangalore: Permanent solution to Shiradi Ghat stretch at Rs 95 crore - Oscar
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Maagalore, Dec 30: Of the various issues related to roads in the state, Shiradi Ghat has been a long-pending problem and thus the state and the central governments have come up with a permanent scientific solution to solve the issue. Rs 95 crore has been sanctioned for the purpose," said Oscar Fernandes, addressing the media persons at the circuit house here on Monday December 30.
"Over the past several years, we have received a number of complaints from people who travel by Shiradi Ghat road. With a view to put a full stop on the issues faced by them, we have held a meeting today of state ministers, MLA, NHAI chiefs, the DC, and other officials," he said.
"The entire project will be carried out under two phases. In the first phase, the existing road will be repaired at a cost of Rs 5 crore to enable smooth flow of traffic till the entire project is completed. In the second phase, Rs 95 crore has been sanctioned for concreting and asphalting of the stretch wherever required," he explained.
"The work on phase one has already started and the road will be ready for use by January 31, 2014. The construction of the permanent road will start from February 20 and will take approximately 18 months to complete. A website has been created in which the day-to-day progress of the project will be updated and be available for monitoring to anyone and anywhere.
"We have also urged the NHAI to finish the work at the earliest. We have also asked district incharge minister (Ramanath Rai) to do the needful for means of supply of material for the project," he said.
"As it is a hilly region, the roads are often damaged due to the flow of rain water from the top of the hills. Also, in places where there are springs, the roads are completely covered with water and get totally damaged and hence a thick layered concrete road is required," Oscar added.
Airport - KPT connectivity
"A bridge will be constructed from Mangalore International Airport to Karnataka Polytechnic College (KPT), which will reduce the commuting time from Airport to the city. The PWD minister will inspect all the proposed sites for work at the earliest," Oscar informed.
"At Nanthoor junction, for the smooth movement of vehicles and to avoid traffic problems, Rs 40 crore has been sanctioned to construct an underpass and an overbridge connectivity. Rs 22 crore has been sanctioned to construct service roads on BC Road to Surathkal highway stretch. Plans are also afoot to restore the Agumbe Ghats stretch and Mangalore - Manipal highway.
There is nearly 50,000 km stretch of major district roads (MDR), 20,000 km of state highways and 4,000 km of national highways in the country and plans will be chalked out at the earliest to restore and repair all the roads," he assured.
"With regard to repeated complaints about toll collection at BC Road, an electric tolling technology has been proposed to be introduced, not only in Mangalore, but throughout the country. A scientific test has been carried out in this regard. The collection will be done using cell phone and the whole procedure will be automated," he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahadeva Prasad, state PWD minister said that Oscar Fernandes has released central funds of Rs 1000 crore in phase one for road development in the state and Rs 800 crore in phase two, based on a guarantee letter issued by the state government.
"Plans have been made to develop Chitradurga-Shimoga highway, Mysore to Nanjanagudu highway and other major highways in the state. The prime project to be carried out at the earliest is the development of Shiradi Ghats road.
"The total stretch of the ghats is about 42 km, comprising large number of hair pin curves. The region gets 6000 to 7000 mms of rainfall every year and as result of the heavy water flow and spring water collection, the roads get damaged. Now we have come up with a scientific plan to avoid such problems in the future," he said.
"The load moving over the ghat has nearly doubled, which is another reason for the severe damage. To curb this problem, a weigh bridge will be constructed beside the toll booth to moniter the load capacity of heavy transport vehicles," he said.
Addressing the media persons, Kandaswamy, DGM of NHAI said Japanese consultants have been approached with regard to the construction of a tunnel through Shiradi Ghats stretch, as it the prime expressway that connects Mangalore to Bangalore and also Mangalore port to Ellore port.
"Wherever asphalting of the Shiradi Ghat has failed, concreting work will be carried out. The total curing period for the concrete is 21 days, hence vehicular movement will be completely stopped, and an alternate road will be constructed on which work has already started. Nearly two-third of the work is already complete," he said.
The funds for the Nanthoor underpass and overbridge connectivity have been sanctioned and the procedure, including calling for tenders will be begin from March end, he added.
A K Mathew, chief general manager, NHAI, ministers Ramanath Rai, U T Khadar, Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA Shakunthala Shetty, DC A B Ibrahim and others were present.