Proposed Shiradi Ghat bypass to cost Rs 10k cr

A permanent solution for travelling public on the notorious Shiradi Ghat road on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru national highway will come at a high cost. An estimated Rs 10,000 crore is the cost of the four-lane, 23-km-long pass planned at the Ghat, which includes 12.41 km of tunnel.

The feasibility study for constructing the bypass has begun. But that does not mean that one can see light at the end of the tunnel soon. Even to complete the formalities of obtaining  the basic permissions to give a push to the project on ground, it would require at least two years.

The state has entrusted the work of preparing a feasibility report to Geoconsult India Private Limited. The cost of the project would have to be shared by the Centre and the State at a ratio of 60:40. As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the projected cost for building the bypass as per the Indian Road Congress standard could be about Rs 10,000 crore. PWD Minister H C Mahadevappa had already announced the cost of the project. The existing two-lane Shiradi Ghat road is nearly 26 km, while the proposed bypass would be three km shorter. But there would be a vast difference between the two stretches in terms of quality and safety.

The National Highways division of the PWD is co-ordinating with Geoconsult for the ongoing feasibility cum geo-technical study which requires topography study in the Shiradi Ghat valley and the surroundings. The deadline to submit the report to the government is June next year. The cost of preparing the report is Rs 8.6 crore, official sources said.

The PWD was hoping to showcase the project to investors at the Global Investors’ Meet which was scheduled to be held in November this year. The meet has been put off to next year.

 Karnataka has been waiting for months for the union ministry of road transport and highways to fix a meeting to discuss the bypass project. The meeting which should have taken place in June was put off. The idea to have the bypass was floated by the government in 2012.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has evinced interest in financing the project. Minister  Mahadevappa had visited Japan in June to discuss loan related issues. But it has not moved forward as the Centre is yet to give various clearances.

The tunnel-cum-bridges will have to be constructed for a total length of about 23 km with seven tunnels of total length of 12.41 km, according to a preliminary presentation made by the consultant to the government on August 9. There are also talks to make it eight-lane instead of four-lane.

The bypass road will be to the left of the Bengaluru-Mangaluru road and closer to the railway line.

It would come without curves and gradients unlike the existing Shiradi Ghat road and thus help fast movement of vehicles. At present traffic density on this stretch is 25,000 passengers car unit, which is considered moderate.

A better connectivity to a port city like Mangaluru will help improve the economy and business.

The consultant has proposed three alternative alignments - A, B and C. It has also recommended that alignment A would be a better option.

The Ghat section has hilly range in reserved forest. If the existing road is widened, then it would lead to deforestation of 77 ha.