Daiiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 26:  Regional manager of National Highways of Authority of India, R K Sooryavamshi, said that the 95.25 km long highway widening work between Kundapur and Talapady would be completed by March 2019.

He was speaking at a meeting that was called under the leadership of MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, on Tuesday September 25. As the MP was late in arriving from New Delhi, additional deputy commissioner, Kumar, chaired the meeting in which highway authority officials, highway activists etc were present. 'Heddari 66 Horata Samiti' officials raised strong objections about the delay in highway works, and urged to fix deadline to complete road works.

Sooryavamshi said that a meeting about the delay was held at New Delhi recently, and assured that at any cost, all works would be completed by March next. He said that the Thokkottu over bridge would be completed by December, Pumpwell flyover will be completed by March, while the under pass at Karavali Junction Udupi would be finished by November. The over bridge work at Kundapur will be completed by March, and service roads will also be attended during this period, he added.

Horata Samiti leader, Deviprasad Shetty, wanted all the bridges between Talapady and Kundapur to be tested for carrying capacity at which Sooryavamshi said that Kulur bridge has been tested and as per the report, it is not good for withstanding traffic load. A new detailed project report for new bridge has already been prepared, he explained.

The Horata Samiti members raised various objections like twisting of the original plan, demolition of assets of poor people who were not in original plan, non-construction of service where they are badly needed, failing to attend to safety measures in dividers which have contributed to rise in number of accidents etc. They said that the contractors falsely claimed having completed 80 percent of works to the court and began collecting toll charges. They said that originally, Suratkal tollgate was proposed to be merged with the one at Hejamady, but the contract of the toll gate has been renewed without merging them. Kaup Diwakar Shetty and Deviprasad put forth their demands forcefully.

Leaders raised the topic of marking additional 2.5 metres for road development near Nelyady although already 45 metres of land has been acquired and compensation has been paid to the land owners. 'The officials clarified said that this mistake had happened because of jumbling in the names of places and assured that additional land would not be acquired there.

MP, Nalin Kumar, who arrived late to the meeting, insisted that Navayuga company should complete Pumpwell flyover by January next. The company officials said they need time till March. Nalin reminded them that they had given in writing to complete the flyover by January and stressed that no additional time would be permitted.