Transfer of NHAI Officials & Unscientific Plan to Delay Opening of Thokkuttu Flyover
Mangaluru : Team Mangalorean after visiting the Thokkuttu flyover on Monday morning, 10 June, the day the Flyover was suppose to open, had published an article yesterday (Ref: JUNE 10? Opening of Thokkuttu Flyover for Motorists Doubtful due to Bad Planning ) , and here is what we have learnt about the present condition of the project. It is learnt that the opening of the Thokkottu flyover has yet again been postponed, and this time owing to the transfer of officials of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Even though after MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, after inspecting the Thokkuttu flyover few days ago had announced that he would personally declare the flyover open for traffic on June 10, however, the inauguration did not take place as promised, due to objections raised by District Minister-in-Charge U T Khader about the non-existence of service road etc. Minister U.T. Khader briefing media persons here on Monday said that the NHAI Project Director as well as the Project Engineer have been transferred recently and hence the opening too is postponed. He said the administration will hold a meeting with NHAI officials on June 14 and decide about opening the flyover.
Khader further said, “Before opening the Thokkottu flyover, NHAI authorities have to ensure safe crossing for vehicles moving towards Ullal from Mangaluru as the Ullal Cross is located just after the down-ramp. In the meantime, the Mangaluru City Traffic Police have advised the NHAI to provide a U-turn about 200m after the down-ramp for vehicles moving towards Ullal that can take a left turn thereafter. Otherwise, mishaps are bound to occur, as per the higher police authorities.. While the work on the flyover is almost complete, that of U-turn is yet to be done. Service roads too need to be restored for smooth movement of vehicles towards and from Konaje, Mudipu”.
“I have asked the district administrations to set up check-posts on interior roads connecting the district with neighbouring Kerala. It is not sufficient to have a check-post on the National Highway (66); there are many other roads that connect the district with Kerala which need to be monitored. Those check-posts besides being manned by police personnel, would also be equipped with CCTV cameras. This would also help check cross-border violence” added U T Khader.
Even though the non-completion of Kankanady and Thokkuttu Flyovers have got bad remarks of non-completion of the projects since more than eight years, it now looks like both the projects will be again delayed by months or could be years, until we see both the flyovers materialize. Keep your fingers crossed, and pray that both the flyovers open in the nearest future- because only prayers can work miracles on the completion of these two flyovers.
Also Read Related Article :
