‘Govt delayed building flyovers in M'luru’

The state government has inordinately delayed construction of flyovers at Pumpwell and Thokkottu, taken up as a part of four-laning of the National Highway 66 between Talapady and Nanthoor, said MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Speaking after inspecting the flyover works at Pumpwell here, on Sunday, he said the delay in shifting the “Kalasha” delayed the commencement of the work.

About 90% of the flyover works have been completed. The flyover at Thokkottu will be ready by December end while the one at Pumpwell will be completed by January end, he said.

“Though the flyover works was initiated in 2010, the actual work commenced only in 2016, due to the delayed tactics of the state government.”

Meanwhile, the Mangaluru City Corporation’s proposal on private bus stand and frequent change in the design of the bus stand too posed a hurdle to the NHAI in taking up the flyover works.

The financial crunch faced by the Navayug Construction company, which has been awarded the four-laning work, also led to the delay in the
completion of the work, he added.

Stating that all the issues have been tackled, the MP said that the work on both the flyovers will be completed as per the latest deadline.

On the delay in the completion of service roads, the MP said even after paying the compensation, three building owners in Thokkottu and 10 building owners in B C Road have raised objections. As a result, the work on clearing the buildings could not be taken up, thus delaying the laying of the service roads.

The MP, further, said, “The four-laning work from B C Road to Surathkal took 13 years to complete. The construction of the bridge across River Nethravathi at Panemangalore took 14 years to complete. A sum of Rs 300 crore was released to the Mangaluru City Corporation when B S Yeddyurappa was Chief Minister to lay concrete roads. Even after 11 years, the MCC has failed to construct footpaths for the concrete roads. All those who oppose me should answer to these delays.”

On the toll gate at Surathkal, Kateel said that he had already written to the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nithin Gadkari to close the toll gate at the Surathkal.

The NHAI Regional Officer too has written to the Central government in this regard.

“I am not in favour of merger of Surathkal toll gate with that of Hejamady toll gate. I want the closure of the Surathkal toll gate. The state government should also write to the centre on closing the toll gate at Surathkal.”