MP Kateel Slaps Rs 1.5 Cr Fine on Contractor for NH 66 Work Delay-Stops Toll Gate Fees
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel Slaps Rs 1.5 Cr Fine on Contractor-Navayug Constructions for NH 66 Work Delay-The MP has also Stopped motorists paying toll fee at Talapady/Hejamady/Mukka Toll Gates effective today, 6 July
Mangaluru: With an attitude of enough is enough, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel took the authorities of Navayug constructions for their delay in finishing the NH 66 on the Mangaluru-Talapady Highway. In response, the office of Project Director, National Highways Authority of India, Mangaluru, on Thursday submitted to MP, the undertaking of concessionaire Navayuga Udupi Tollway Private Limited of completing the four-laning work of National Highway 66 by January 2019. The concessionaire has assured of completing the works on flyover at Thokkottu junction by December 2018 and that of Kankanady Pump-Well Junction in January 2019.
“It was resolved during the last meeting with the Navayug company authority and NHAI officials that the company would provide an endorsement and the work schedule before July 15. If the work is not completed on the declared date, legal action will be inevitable. If they fail to act as per the written assurance, we will take legal action against the concessionaire. The NHAI officers here will also be held accountable,” said MP Kateel. Earlier, Kateel went around places along the NH66 affected by the work. He also visited Unity Hall in Kallapu near Thokkottu junction where people pointed to absence of a proper road side drain that was causing water logging. The Navayuga representative said they could not make a proper drain as owners of the three buildings are yet to vacate the places as they were yet to receive compensation. Kateel inspected the areas near Thokkottu junction and also the underpass in Uchilla where water logs frequently.
Conducting a review of works on the Mangaluru-Talapady Highway on Thursday, the MP expressed his displeasure over the procrastination of the flyover works and the lackadaisical approach by the company regarding the construction and maintenance of service roads on the Mangaluru-Talapady stretch. Looking at the present condition, MP stated that 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 issue was raised during two meetings convened by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and a penalty of Rs 1.5 crore has been imposed on Navayug constructions for the delay in work. Also, the work on the service road and storm water drains, carried out by the Navayug company, has been unscientific.” he added.
The MP directed the company to take up the works on the repair of the service road and clearing of drains at Nanthoor, Thokkottu, Pumpwell and Talapady highways on a war footing so that no problem is caused in case of rain. He asked the concerned authorities to widen the service road if required. “Proper steps should be taken to shift the electric poles,” he said and added that he would conduct a regular review of the work henceforth.
Coming as good news for motorists, MP Kateel announced that vehicles bearing KA19 registration will be allowed toll-free movement at the Hejamadi toll gate. Free movement will also be facilitated for vehicles bearing the registration numbers prefixed with KA20, at Mukka toll gate. He said he has also directed the concerned to allow toll-free movement for vehicles of KA19 registration at the Talapady toll gate, till the work on Thokkottu bridge is completed.