Govt nod to lay road inside reserve forest

The work is being undertaken under Pradhan Manthri Gram Sadak Yojane (PMGSY).

Speaking to Deccan Herald, sources in the PMGSY said, of the 11.43 km road, seven kilometre road was completed till Parattu from Aladangadi. However, the remaining 4.3 km road comes under reserve forest of Andinje, Nalkur and Nittade. Hence, there was problem to get clearance from the forest department to lay the road. The Central government gave the clearance for the road on February 24, 2011 and the work has commenced.

The total cost of the project is Rs 536.4 lakh and the work on the road commenced in October 2009. As the rainy season has begun, the work on the road is likely to be delayed. However, the road will be ready for use by December or January, sources informed.

Prior to the laying of the road from Aladangadi to Parattu, there was no road in the region, severely inconveniecing the people in 11 villages.

A 33 metre bridge with 11.2 metre three spans have been constructed at Soolebettu between Aladangadi to Goliangadi road. In fact, without the bridge to the stream which flows at Soolebettu, the villagers including the school going kids were put to hardship in the past. There was a small delicate wooden foot bridge to cross the stream during monsoon. The villagers were crossing the stream during summer. The bridge at Soolebettu was completed in the last monsoon itself and the people have already started using the bridge, said an official.

The sources said there are six minor culverts from Aladangadi to Goliangadi and the work is under progress. The road will benefit a population of 2,556. This include Parattu (150), Goli (200|), Permude (300), Panur (150), Soolebettu (400), SC Colony (500), Pandinje (365), Padyodi (100), Kepigudde (112), Mullagudde (169) and Pottukaria (110).

The official said there is a 3-tier system to check the quality of the work which is being undertaken under PMGSY. The seven kilometre road and the bridge has been inspected by a representative from National quality monitor and has given his satisfactory quality report.