NHAI flyovers in city: Contractor short of funds

NHAI flyovers in city: Contractor short of funds

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 01, 2017: National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) officials on Nov 30, Thursday said that Navayuga Udupi Tollway Pvt. Ltd. has sought financial assistance from the authority to complete flyovers at Thokkottu and Pumpwell (Mahaveer) Junctions in Mangaluru city.

 

NHAI project director Z. Samson Vijay Kumar said that he told the Karnataka Development Project (KDP) meeting on Nov 30,Thursday that the delay in completing the two flyovers, part of the four-lane project of Talapady-Kundapura, was due to concessionaire’s financial constraints. The concessionaire now has sought assistance from the authority and when it comes through, the project would be completed, he said. However, DK DC Sasikanth Senthil S. told NHAI at the KDP meeting that the administration was not concerned with NHAI’s internal problems. Having taken up the responsibility of widening highways, the authority cannot go on offering excuses for the delay, he cautioned and asked NHAI to complete works expeditiously.

Meanwhile, Government Chief Whip in the Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza took the officials to task for the pathetic condition of the National Highway 66 between Nanthoor and NITK, Surathkal, and asked them to restore the road immediately.

DPRs for check dams  :  Chairing the meeting, DK district in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai asked the Irrigation Department to prepare detailed project reports for mini-check dams estimated to cost less than Rs. 10 crore under the Paschima Vahini Project. The government’s aim is to improve the groundwater level through a series of check dams.

Also, large dams are not advisable as they would submerge vast extent of land for which compensation has to be paid, he noted.  The district should get at least 25 check dams immediately, the Minister said.

Hostels unavailable :  MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary lamented lack of adequate hostels for students hailing from oppressed and backward classes in Dakshina Kannada as well as Udupi districts. Officials concerned are not keen on seeking more hostels commensurate the demand, he alleged.

When Minister Rai sought details of the number of students seeking admission to various hostels, officials from Social Welfare Department could not provide them, prompting the Minister to direct them to immediately write to the government seeking new hostels. No student should be denied education, he reiterated.