Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 10: The second railway underpass that was under construction on national highway at Padil here was set to be opened for public use shortly. However, before it happened, the road caved in and a huge pit has been formed in the middle of the road. One shudders to think what would have happened if the underpass was inaugurated and the road had opened up when vehicles were passing over it.

The work on the underpass was progressing at a snail's pace since the last two years. The work would have been completed within two days. Final touches were being given to the work, and a roller was smoothening the road surface with tar and crushed stones when the road suddenly suffered a depression and a huge pit with a depth of about three feet was created on the road. It is said that underground drainage passes under the spot and the incident was a fallout of road work conducted without taking notice of the underground drainage passing below.

After the metalling of the road was conducted a few days back, the region had experienced good rainfall. The rainwater had softened the earth under the road and due to the pressure of the roller when levelling the road, the road caved in, it is said.

The inauguration of the underpass therefore stands postponed. Now, the road would have to be dug to find the source of the problem. Thereafter, if there is underground drainage, slab would have to be fixed over it before undertaking road work all over again. In the meantime, because of monsoon, the work may be hampered.

The underpass is being constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore on national highway 75. As the spot experiences heavy flow of rainwater, the railways had elevated the spot with the help of mud by 1.5 metres. It is said that the underpass conforms to Indian Road Congress rules and regional transport office conditions relating to width, height etc. There is facility for pedestrians at the underpass and drains have been provided for free flow of storm water.

There is confusion over who executed this work. When contacted, highway department officials said that the work was executed by the railways while the railway officials stated that national highways authority had done it.