April rain delayed work on Shiradi Ghat, says minister

Untimely rain in April delayed the work on Shiradi Ghat stretch covering a distance of 13.26 km connecting Heggadde to Kempu Hole, said PWD Minister H C Mahadevappa here on Saturday.

Speaking after laying foundation stone for the approach road to Court Complex here, he said the work on the ghat will be completed at the earliest. “It was estimated that the first phase of the work would require 18 months to complete. However, we had planned to complete the work before June 1. The rain posed a hindrance. About nine-km road is complete. Quality of the road has been given emphasis. It cannot be completed in a hurry. The road will be thrown open for traffic shortly. The biggest enemy of Shiradi Ghat stretch is water on the road surface. To check the water, about 119 culverts have been laid on the stretch to ensure that the rain water does not flow on the road.”

The minister said tender has been invited for the second phase of the work Kempuhole to Addahole covering a distance of 13 km and 21 km of asphalting work from Gulagalale to Marnahalli. The technical bid approval has to be taken for the work.  The estimated cost of the work is Rs 82.28 crore.