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Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)
With Inputs from Our Special Correspondent

Mangaluru, Dec 19: Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nithin Gadkari on Saturday December 19 said that the department of Road Transport and Highways has approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for tunnel construction on Shiradi Ghat with a length of 23.63 kilometre at tentative cost of Rs 10,000 crore.

He was speaking during the foundation stone laying and dedication to the nation of 33 National Highways Projects worth Rs 10,904 crore covering 1,197 kilometres, through video conferencing.

"Construction of a tunnel on Shiradi Ghat is one of the important projects pending. After assuming the office as a minister, I am pursuing it. There were a lot of complications due to the Forest Act. It is also an important project for the development of Karnataka. DPR is being approved after the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) report. The project consists of six tunnels with length 12.60 kilometres and a bridge of 1.5 kilometre with highest sphere of hundred meters. The tunnel consists of two driving lanes with one emergency lane of 8.58 meters.

"Karnataka is heading towards progress and development. The government has spent Rs 2 lac crore for the development of roads. In 2014, the total length of National highways was 6,707 kilometres. Now it is 7,619 kilometres. There are 71 ongoing projects under the PWD of the state. For 2,314 kilometres, we are spending Rs 38,000 crore. Nearly, 70% work is in progress. For the 38 works which are pending, the government is spending over Rs 12,000 crore improving 1,128 kilometres,” he said.

Gadkari also said that work of four-laning coastal roads from Goa border to Kerala border connecting port city of Belekeri, Karwar and Mangaluru which covers a length of 278 kilometres have been taken up at the cost of Rs 3,443 crore. “The work has been substantially completed. Shiradi Ghat on NH 75 is very important for transportation of containers from Mangaluru port to various parts of Karnataka. DPR for the development of Charmadi Ghat on NH 73 has been approved. These are some of the important works which will help the progress of Karnataka.

“Eleven important works which were demanded by the chief minister and members of parliament with a length of 370 kilometres at a cost Rs 5,083 crore will be started as early as possible and once land acquisition process is completed.

“Most importantly, Bengaluru Ring Road and Satellite Town Ring Road at cost of 10,000 crore will help in smooth movement of traffic. This will also connect Tumakuru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Pune and Hyderabad which will boost socio-economic development and employment,” he said.

‘Support farmers to start ethanol factories’

Nithin Gadkari who is also minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, asked the state government to take initiative to support farmers in starting ethanol factories to produce ethanol from sugar, alternative to sugar production and boost the use of biofuel.

"We need diversification of agriculture towards the energy and power sector. Karnataka is one of the progressive states and produces sugarcane in large amounts. It will be very useful for farmers, because Karnataka have maximum sugar factories.

“The country is importing Rs 8 lac crore crude oil. The existing economy of ethanol is Rs 20,000 crore. To add 10% ethanol in petrol, we need Rs 60,000 crore ethanol. Presently, we have availability of 400 litres of ethanol. So making more sugar will be a big problem for the country. The sugar price in the global economy is Rs 22 per kg. The government of India is paying Rs 34 per kg of sugar. This is a hard task. This will be a crucial problem and farmers are not getting proper price for their sugarcane.

“Secondly, we have 280 lac tonnes of surplus rice in the country. We can supply rice to the whole world. We have no proper place or godown to store the rice. Hence, the government has given permission to convert rice and food grains into ethanol.

"I am going to plan a policy to provide special concession for making ethanol. This is the right time to help farmers by making biofuel,” he said.

Speaking on sanction of Central Road Fund, Gadkari said that his department is ready to sanction the Central Road Fund once the government sends a utility certificate to the department.

Works on Shiradi, Charmadi, Sampaje Ghats approved

Keeping in view the safety of road users, Gadkari said three major works for improving the safety by providing protective measures on hill slopes in Shiradi Ghat on NH 75, Charmadi Ghat on NH 73 and Sampaje Ghat on NH 275 have been sanctioned amounting to Rs 115 crore.

Explaining the details of the highway projects in progress and those in the pipeline to provide smooth connectivity to the ports for the benefit of trade and economy, he said 4-laning of the entire coastal road from Goa to Kerala borders connecting port city of Belekeri, Karwar and Mangalore covering a length of 278 kms have been taken up at a cost of Rs 3,443 crore and the work has substantially been completed.

Three projects in length of 76 kms in Karnataka in Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, which is identified as one of the priority projects under Chennai–Bengaluru Industrial Corridor has been approved and bids are invited, Gadkari told.

Gadkari said his Ministry has approved release of Rs 218 crore under CRIF and the amount will be released soon after the utilization certificate is submitted for the amount of Rs. 217 crore released in first instalment this year.

The Minister said the Ministry of Highways and Road Transports will invest approximately an amount of Rs 1,16,144 crore in Karnataka in coming years.

Under Bharatmala and other schemes, 19 works at a cost of Rs. 31,035 Crore are already under progress, he said.

Gadkari also said the final feasibility report on setting up Multimodal Logistic Park in Muddalingenahalli near Dabaspet is expected during February 2021.

"This project will improve the logistics efficiency, thus enabling reduction in logistics cost,’’ he explained.

CM appeals for grants to repair highways

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said the investment of Rs. 1.16 lac crore for Highway development by Government of India would help to boost the economy of the State. He also said that after discussing with MPs and sugarcane growers, he would consider the decision on production of ethanol from sugar.

The Chief Minister appealed to Union Minister to release adequate grants to take up flood damage repair works as Karnataka has suffered severe damages to infrastructure including National Highways.

He also sought to expedite the improvement of all congested intersections of National Highways connecting Bengaluru City, Up-gradation of existing 4 lane National Highway from Bangalore to Tumkur Section to 8-lane with service Road.

Yediyurappa assured that he would press upon all Deputy Commissioners for the speedy disposal of pending cases regarding land acquisitions to speed up the highway projects.

Deputy chief minister Govid Karjol, Union minister DV Sadananda Gowda and former Primr Minister H D Deve Gowda spoke on the occasion.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLAs Vedavyasa Kamath, Dr Y Bharath Shetty, Rajesh Naik, mayor Diwakar Pandeshwar, MLC Prathap Simha Nayak, ZP president Meenakshi Shanthigodu, deputy commissioner Dr Rajendra K V and others were present.