mangalore today

Thokkottu and Pumpwell: Both flyovers not ready as per schedule


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 15, 2019: The rapid approach of SW monsoon not withstanding, Navayuga Udupi Tollway Pvt. Ltd. appears to be in no hurry to complete work on at least one of the two flyovers along National Highway 66, thereby challenging the very authority of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

 

flyovers.j


While Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had given March 31 and May 31 deadlines for completing work on the Thokkottu and Pumpwell Flyovers, respectively, in Mangaluru, work on both the sites appear nowhere near completion with inadequate deployment of  men, material and machinery.

Though work on the Thokkottu flyover has reached the finishing stage with the concessionaire almost completing earthwork for the up and down ramps, bitumen-laying process is pending. According to NHAI officials themselves, the process may not be completed within a fortnight as it involves a host of activities.

Procuring material, activating the bitumen plant, deploying special machinery, etc., would take time, after the completion of the earthwork and as such, the May 31 fresh deadline may not be met, sources state.

This apart, the concessionaire has to reconstruct the service road on both the sides of the flyover, which cannot be done once it starts raining. Motorists using the service road, particularly those going towards and coming from Konaje, would have to bear with pot hole-ridden stretch of the service roads till the rain recedes.

On the other hand, no activities could be seen at the Pumpwell flyover site despite the warning from Minister Nitin Gadkari. With the concessionaire delaying work, NHAI reportedly gave another deadline, according to sources.

The concessionaire, before completing the flyover, has to build a culvert on a major storm-water drain towards Karnataka Bank head office and a pedestrian underpass at Ujjodi towards Indiana Hospital. While the work on the culvert has just commenced, that of the underpass is yet to start. Service roads on both the sides continue to be in bad condition.

To be ready before June 30 :    At a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary in Bengaluru and attended by top NHAI officials on May 14,  Tuesday, Navayuga Managing Director reportedly promised to complete work on both the flyovers before June 30, it is stated.