JOIN US'Rs 118.58 cr revised estimate for Shiradi'
Addressing a press meet here on Friday, Gowda said that the Union Minister for Surface Transport and Highways Kamalnath had given assurance of releasing funds as well as expediting tender process with regard to the development of Shiradi Ghat road.
Works including site clearance, protection mask and concretisation on the stretch between 237 - 257 kilometers will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 61.78 crore.
Meanwhile, the road between 250 - 263 kilometers will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 56.80 crore, Gowda said.
Quoting Minister Kamalnath, Gowda said that the works will be commenced in November this year and will be completed by the end of May 2010.
Asphaltation of NH 17
Gowda said that revised proposals for the asphaltation of NH 17 have already been prepared by the government. Since a proposal to convert entire NH 17 stretch into fourlane is pending, the temporary asphaltation will be of less thickness compared to the plan prepared earlier, he said.
Accordingly, road between Thokkottu and Thalapady will be asphalted at an estimated cost of Rs 2.47 crore, instead of earlier estimate of Rs 4.43 crore.
Road between Padubidri and Mulki will be asphalted spending Rs 5.75 crore, while the previous estimation was Rs 6.35 crore.
Similarly, the Sasthana - Santhekatte stretch will be asphalted at a cost of Rs 4.50 crore changing the previous estimation of Rs 6.40 crore, he added.
Rs 10 crore from State
Gowda said that the State government has already released Rs 1 crore, while it has reserved Rs 10 crore for the immediate repair of national highways. Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district administrations have also released Rs 50 lakh each from its Calamity Relief Fund for the purpose, he said adding that the works will be taken up soon.
He said that the tender process for the four-laning of NH 17 between Kundapur and Thalapady will be finalised by the end of September. Funds for the maintenance of national highways should not be blocked even when four-laning work is progressing, Gowda urged.
Talking about temples which obstruct the four-laning work at Kulur and Brahmarakotlu on Surathkal - B C Road stretch, Gowda said that the issue has been solved through dialogues. Obstacles will be cleared soon, he added.
Mangalore Airport
Talking about the new terminal of Mangalore Airport, Gowda said that he will be meeting Union Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel to discuss about its inaugural on his visit to New Delhi on September 17.
Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, BJP district President Monappa Bhandary, party senior vice-president Rukmaiah Poojary, General Secretary Nitin Kumar and Mangalore City Corporation Mayor M Shanker Bhat were present.