Gadkari gives NH officials a week to clear Shiradi Ghat

Nitin Gadkari, union minister for road transport and highways, told national highways officials to clear Shiradi Ghat for traffic within a week.

He directed that slush and landslides on the highway must be cleared immediately. Gadkari met national highways and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officials in Delhi, in the presence of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLAs from Dakshina Kannada (DK), on Monday.

It may be recalled that during recent heavy rains, landslides had blocked the highway at multiple locations, affecting traffic.

Gadkari ordered NHAI officials to complete the Pumpwell and Thokkottu flyover works within three months from the end of monsoon (by December). The works are being executed by Navayug Constructions. "The delay has given the opposition an excuse to criticise MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, and the Union government," Gadkari noted.

MP Kateel pointed out that the state Environment department was yet to approve the four-laning of B C Road --Hassan stretch (4 km). He requested the Union Environment department to take up the issue with state officials.

Kateel also revealed that the detailed project report (DPR) on four-laning from Kulshekar - Karkala - Shivamogga was ready.

Regarding the demand to suspend toll collection at B C Road and Milka, the union minister assured to discuss the issue with officials, Kateel told DH.

Mangaluru North MLA Dr Bharath Shetty, Sullia MLA Angara, Puttur MLA Sanjeeva Matandoor and Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja were with MP Nalin Kateel.