Karnataka: Hubballi flyover deadline extended by six months

Hubballi: The extended deadline of April end to complete the already delayed ongoing flyover construction in Hubballi is further extended. This time, authorities have said that the flyover needs up to six more months to get ready.

The flyover construction around Channamma Circle has been causing concern among people and shopkeepers as it causes dust menace, confusion among vehicle users and pedestrians due to traffic diversions, and also damaging the existing road stretches. This ordeal is set to continue for some more months, and may become worse during rainy season when the damaged road stretches become slushy. At this juncture, authorities are saying that the flyover would be ready by August, mainly because of the slow process of transporting and launching girders using heavy machinery only at late night and wee hours.

Deputy Commissioner Snehal R, and MLA Mahesh Tenginakai, along with the officials concerned, inspected the flyover construction works from Hosur Cross to Channamma Circle on Wednesday. Based on the information provided by the officials regarding the progress of the works and challenges, they said the project would be completed within the next six months.

The flyover works at an estimated cost of Rs 349 crore was officially initiated in 2021 itself. Due to issues related to land acquisition, objection for alignment, death of a police officer in an accident, and delay in vacating a police station building are cited as the reasons for the delay.

"The project is delayed. Taking up such works inside the city has several challenges, like UGD lines and cable found while digging to erect piers. Girders have to be launched between midnight and 5:00 am. By improving the coordination, we will ensure that the works are completed before six months, failing which actions like penalty and blacklisting will be taken against the constractor," DC Snehal said.

A meeting would be convened next week to discuss how to speed up the works and to improve cooprdination. Steps would also be taken to keep road stretches motorable during the rainy season, she told reporters.

Traffic diversion 

MLA Mahesh Tenginakai stated that traffic diversion has to be introduced for two months during the girder launch near Hosur Cross, and a plan is being prepared to allow the movement of light motor vehicles.

"Our priority is to complete the works in a time-bound manner, without obstructing the vehicular movement. The proposal to lay the concrete cement (CC) road under the flyover arms would get the approval from the Union government, and that work can also be taken up during the monsoon," he said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Geetha C D, Public Works Department (PWD) national highways division executive engineer V N Patil, Tahsildar Mahesh Gaste, Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) Deputy Commissioner (development) Vijaykumar R, and others were present.