Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Nov 21: Speaking at a press conference, held along with the in-charge secretary of the district, M N Vidyashankar, on Friday November 20, after chairing the progress review meeting of the district, Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner, V Ponnuraj, blamed inadequate planning on the part of National Highway Authority of India regarding the land acquisition and some other issues, as being the major stumbling block in the non-execution of the highway widening work between B C Road and Suratkal, even after protracted delays.
“In the initial stages, 24 acres of land was acquired as requested by NHAI. After some more time, four more acres were acquired in 16 villages. As the advisors to NHAI did not provide proper information, the administration was faced with the task of acquiring land repeatedly,” he said.
Ponnuraj pointed out that NHAI did not conduct proper soil tests before commencing the highway development work, because of which, problems have been encountered in erecting landing for the fly over near Kottara. “In the past, they planned to erect foundation for landing to a depth of eight feet. Because the soil is very soft, they now plan to lay foundation from a depth of 40 feet. Because of this and other technical faults, the execution is stranded,” he said, acknowledging in the meantime, that shifting of water pipeline, electric cables etc., running alongside the road, were also delayed because of various reasons.