From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jun 29: Karnataka’s Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Public Works, Ports and Inland Water Transport M Lakshminarayana on Wednesday called upon the bidders and bankers for the Karnataka State Highway Improvement Project - III (KSHIP-III) to successfully complete the 418.6 km highway construction work spread over 12 districts.

The cost of the ambitious project spread over 12 districts is Rs 5,334 crore.

Addressing bankers and bidders at a project conference of KSHIP-III (ADB second loan) under hybrid annuity model of PPP, the ACS asked bidders to maintain quality and time line as the State Government will support the successful bidders to obtain statutory approvals and other facilities from the agencies concerned.

Project roads include under package-one: Kollegal to Hannur- 23.8 kms, in Chamrajnagar District, Chintamani to AP Border – 39.8 kms in Chikkaballapur and Kolar District, Bengaluru to Magadi to NH 75 via Chikkamudigere and Iyandahalli – 5.8 kms in Bengaluru Urban and Ramanagara District – 114 kms.

Under package-two: Magadi to near Somawarpet passing through Ramanagara, Tumkuru, Mandya, Mysore and Hassan Districts – 166 kms. Under package-three: Gadag to Honnali passing through Gadag, Haveri and Davanagere Districts – 138.20 kms. The project requires 1,358.35 acres and it will be directly purchased from the farmers through the Deputy Commissioners of the Districts concerned.

Some of the innovative features of the roads are: they will be provided with bus-bays, truck lay – byes, way side facilities with first aid, gas station, highway patrol, rest rooms, cafeteria and kids play at every 50 kms.

Provision of land for Toll Plaza, lighting in settlement locations, anti- glare device in median for Bengaluru (NICE road) to Magadi section will be made.

KSHIP Chief Project Officer P Manivannan and Karnataka Road Development Corporation Managing Director Krishna Reddy explained the facilities extended to the contractors, which were the best in the country.