Four-lane work will be over by March, next year: DC

Speaking at a meeting on toll gate and progress of work under National Highway, he said barring the work on Baikampady overbridge, other work from B C Road to Surathkal will be completed during the financial year.

He said the National Highway Authority of India officials have promised to complete the work within the given time frame. Another review meeting will be held in January.
“We have already written to Railway Chief Engineer on Baikampady over bridge. We are expecting the reply at the earliest,” the DC said.

With the opposition from the locals for opening a tollgate at Panambur, the NHAI is planning to open the tollgate at NITK. Now this proposal is also being opposed. “I will hold discussion with the public within a week. The decision will be taken after solving their doubts,” he said.

NHAI Project Director Prashanth Gavasane said the work on four laning from Surathkal to B C Road covering 37.5 km was carried out by IRCON. It was decided to open tollgate in front of NMPT gate at Panambur and Brahmarakoodlu. In the backdrop of opposition, it has been proposed to open a tollgate at NITK. The NHAI has 30 per cent share in four laning of the road.

The four laning of road from Kundapur to Surathkal is being carried out by Navayug Company. The tollgate will be opened at Gundmi, Hejamady. The work is carried out on BOT basis. The money collected from the tollgate will be for the company, which is operating it. The tollgate rate will be fixed after the completion of four laning of road and the government will issue gazzette notification.

Gavasane clarified that there will be concession for two-wheelers and three wheelers at the tol gate.

N V Prasad of Hosabettu said that if tollgate is opened at NMPT, it will create traffic jam for one kilometre.

“We are not against tollgate. However, it should be outside the city limits,” said Yathish Baikampady.

Pushparaj Shetty of Panambur said “the highway work is getting delayed. At few stretches, even the repairs have not been undertaken.”