Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jun 9: The long-awaited flyover at Thokkottu which limped along for eight long years has finally been completed. Its inaugural has been planned for June 10. But there is no indication that it will be opened on that day. But at the last minute, questions about the scientific aspects of the flyover are being raised. As such, there is doubt about the flyover getting inaugurated as planned.
After several years, when the bridge is ready for inauguration, discordant notes about the flyover being unscientific are being raised. The critics say that the road bend at the place where the flyover ends can wreak havoc. In fact, the flyover was to continue and end at Kapikad, but for the benefit of people of Ullal and tourists visiting it, the flyover has been made to end at the spot where three roads meet where one of the roads leads to Ullal.
Thokkottu Flyover - File Photo
Another point of danger envisaged is near Naganakatte. The platform, dedicated to the serpent god, was planned to be removed. But because of the obstruction by devotees, it has been retained. At this point, both the highway and service road meet each other. As vehicles coming at high speed on the main road and others coming from service road join here, it can pose danger to vehicle users, it is said.
Minister, U T Khader, has come up with the suggestion to build a flyover from the service road to the road bend at Ullal as two-way traffic on service road is not possible. He said that the MP and officials of the department have agreed to this suggestion, and a final decision would be taken at the meeting being held on June 10. In the past too, the space below the flyover was to be closed as per the original sanction. Sensing that it would be disadvantageous for the local businessmen and locals, Khader had intervened. Therefore, the flyover design had to be revised, which took about a year more.
Former vice president of the zilla panchayat, Sathish Kumpala, noted that minister Khader had undertaken Padayatra about the flyover not having been completed, before the election. He accused the minister of staging another political drama now after the flyover is completed, after remaining silent all these years.