Flyover work of Thokkottu and Pumpwell to complete by January end – MP Nalin Kumar Kateel
Mangaluru: MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has assured that the work of the Thokkottu flyover would be completed by the end of December 2018, and that of Pumpwell flyover by January end next year.
He was speaking to media persons after inspecting the construction work of the Pumpwell flyover on Sunday, November 18.
The four-lane work of Talapady – Kundapur is being carried out for the last eight years. “Inordinate delay in the work has caused a lot of inconvenience to the public. The government has been earning a bad name because of the delay in the completion of the four-laning of Talapady-Kundapur stretch of National Highway 66 that was taken up eight years ago, Initially the construction of the flyover at Pumpwell was delayed due to the long time taken by the district administration in handing over the land.
“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.”
Despite many deadlines, Navayuga has failed to complete the work and it a shame for the company, the MP said. By completing the work on the road stretches and leaving out crucial junctions, Navayuga has been collecting toll saying that 90 % of the work has been completed. Presently 90% of the work has been completed in DK district. The Remaining 10% of work including Thokkattu and Pumpwell flyover is underway. Though stopping toll collection could be illegal, there is no other way but to join with the people who have been affected the most, he said.
Financial problems of concessionaire Navayug company is delaying the completion of the flyover at Pumpwell and at Thokkottu on National Highway 66. The issue was raised during two meetings convened by the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. The Union government has given all type of support to the Company to complete the work. After that the company has sped up the work and agreed to complete the four-laning work of National Highway 66 by January 2019, he said.
National Highway Authority of India project director Vijay Samson, Navayuga Company Mangaer and other officials were present.
