Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Feb 4: The proposal to widen national highway 75 stretch between B C Road and Addahole that encountered various teething problems like backing out by the contracting company for reasons like non-acquisition of forest land, finally has got a nod. The technical bid was opened on February 1, which has given rise to hope of the work beginning soon.

After L&T Company backed out of the project midway, and getting criticised by the people for poor handling of the project, the highway authority had submitted a detailed project report afresh, proposing to undertake work in two phases. The stretch proposed to be straightened and developed is of 63 km and 3.95 lac square metres of land is to be acquired. The existing road on this stretch has been maintained by asphalting it.

Technical bid involves verification of this work executed by the firm earlier, quality, machinery equipment etc. Once the companies pass this process, the financial bids are opened to find whose quotation is the lowest. It will take a few months to complete these processes. Shishumohan, project director of National Highways Authority of India at Mangaluru, said that technical bid has been opened and financial bid will be opened shortly. He however, said it would be not possible to predict when the work on this road will begin.