JUNE 10? Opening of Thokkuttu Flyover for Motorists Doubtful due to Bad Planning
Mangaluru : Among the many promise dates that MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had given for the opening of the Thokkuttu Flyover, which has taken more than eight years to complete, and today (June 10) being one of them- and even though the flyover is complete and ready to go, but there has been objections raised by District Minister-in-charge U T Khader and locals stating that there is no proper service road for vehicles from Mangaluru going towards Ullal. The main concern is that the safety of the motorists/commuters because the vehicles plying from Mangaluru on their way to Ullal, have to make a right turn on that busy Highway at the southern end of Thokkuttu flyover, in order to go towards Ullal- which is indeed a risky and safety concern factor.
Few days ago after MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had done a survey/inspection of the flyover couple of days ago, and had promised to open the flyover on 10 June, however, following couple days later Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister U.T. Khader did the inspection along with the officials from NHAI and Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil on the Thokkuttu Flyover on 3 June, and asked the National Highways Authority of India to come out with a plan to have a flyover or a road underpass at the junction of National Highway 66 with Ullal Main Road.
Speaking to media Minister on that day Khader had said, “Once the Thokkottu flyover is commissioned as promised from 10 June 2019, vehicles from Mangaluru towards Ullal will face difficulty in taking a right turn immediately after descending the flyover. I am making a suggestion to NHAI to make provisions for a ‘U’ turn after about 200 m of the down-ramp towards Talapady for vehicles moving to Ullal, which then would take a left turn towards Ullal through the railway over bridge. This should reduce the risks of accidents because of high traffic on the main carriageway. I have directed the NHAI officials to come out with a proposal for an underpass or a flyover from the service road as a permanent measure. The district administration too would prepare a plan and both would finalize what was appropriate”.
“I have even told the NHAI officials to accord priority for proper completion of service roads and pedestrian walkways. Vehicle users and pedestrians faced greater risks if these were done haphazardly. Looking at the present condition of the flyover it seems it is done very unscientifically and the locals are living in a fear of losing lives, due to accidents. I will soon hold a meeting with the DC and MP to find a permanent solution to the problems of the local residents. I have also urged the officials that the drains in Thokkuttu be cleared before the flyover is inaugurated” added U T Khader.
Vehicles plying from Mangaluru on their way to Ullal, have to make a right turn on that busy Highway at the southern end of Thokkuttu flyover, in order to go towards Ullal- which is indeed a risky and safety concern.
Thousands of vehicles travel on this busy Mangaluru- Ullal route every day, and an intersection on a major Highway 66 will surely lead into numerous accidents. Sources reveal that one option is that to allow vehicles from Mangaluru to ply on the service road on the western side of the flyover, however, there are chances that it may lead to traffic chaos at Thokkuttu Junction, and moreover, the NHAI officials have to convert the narrow one way stretch into a two-way. In facgt, the new flyover will increase the travel time for local residents , it is learnt.
For example, vehicles coming from Thalapadi to Thokkuttu will have to travel till Kallapu and then make a U-Turn, increasing the journey by nearly one kilometer. In the meantime, Minister U T Khader has said, “It is not possible to make the service road on the western side a two-way stretch. Meanwhile, we cannot imagine the dangers of allowing vehicles to cross the NH 66 at Ullal Cross. Hence, a flyover at Ullal Cross is the only option to rectify this issue. We will discuss the issue with the NHAI officials today (10 June), as to how we can solve the problem”.
Yet another safety hazard, vehicles merging into the Highway from the adjacent Service road
It bis learnt that UT Khader, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, officials of NHAI and District Administration will be meeting today (Monday, 10 June) to discuss the matter, and come up with a proper solution. So once again, the motorists and citizens will have to keep their fingers crossed, as to when the Thokkuttu Flyover will be thrown open to the public. Now whom are we suppose to blame- MP Kateel or U T Khader. Why did U T Khader never came up with the objection all this time, before the project was reaching its final stages. Seems like, this is nothing but political nataka, and in the meantime, motorists and commuters have to face the brunt of the stupidity and non-systematic planning of the “Rank Holder” Engineers of NHAI and other concerned officials. Guess we waited eight long years, why not wait for few more months or years before this Thokkuttu flyover really becomes a REALITY?
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