Work on Udupi roads to end by Dec 2015: MLA Pramodh Madhwaraj

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Oct 07, 2015: Speaking at a meeting on Oct 6, to discuss the progress in various development works taken up in the constituency, Udupi MLA Pramodh Madhwaraj said that construction works worth Rs 111.19 crore and national highway works worth Rs 28 crore would be completed in the Udupi Assembly constituency by the end of this year. The MLA added that works comprised construction of bridges, laying of roads, filling of potholes and construction of ponds.

He stated that except for zilla panchayat roads, all road works which were taken up by PWD, City Municipality Council (CMC), Port and Fisheries would be completed by December end. As Zilla Panchayat roads extended up to 360 kilometres, the work completion will take extra time. On the other hand, out of the Rs 1.36 crore allotted, the government has released only Rs 44 lakh to the Zilla Panchayat, Madhwaraj said.

Meanwhile, he went on to say that the gram panchayat would receive funds under 14th Finance Commission. If there is a provision to take up pothole repair work under the programme, the gram panchayat will be asked to take up the work.  The MLA inquired about the substandard quality of the road connecting Ashirvad theater-Tenkanidiyur-Badanidiyur. The road, which was constructed at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore, is damaged within six months of its construction.

The MLA added that a proposal worth Rs 1.4 crore was sent to the Central government for widening of the road from Malpe to Karavali Junction. However, there is no response to the proposal though it was sent on July 10. He said resurface works would be taken up on Kadiyali Junction-Malpe Road at a cost of Rs 95.48 crore, which also includes Manipal-Athradi road stretch. A proposal, in this regard, was sent to the Centre in September.

He added that feedback was pending from the Company which was assigned to study the project enabling the construction of the road adjoining Malpe-Karavali junction. The study report is pending and once the report is procured, the detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared, besides acquisition plans will also be chalked out, he added.

The NH-66 Project Director and Executive Engineer K M Hegde said that there would be two major vehicle underpasses on both the sides of the Karavali junction which would constructed at a cost of Rs 8 crore. The height of each underpass will be 5.5 metres and width 10 metres.

He added that service roads for the containers that ply towards Malpe will be built adjoining Balaipade and Udupi. He added that animal pass was also being built at Kota. The foot over bridge (footbridge) proposed at Ambalpadi junction was yet to be finalised. He added that two footbridges will be built at Santhekatte and SMS College in Brahmavar. Each footbridge will be built at a cost of Rs 90 lakh. Another service road will connect Udupi to Udyavara junction, he added.

The MLA said that out of 21 kilometres of national highway works in the constituency, work on 19 kilometres was completed. The work on the bridges near Mabukalla and Udyavara is over, while the work on Kalyanapur bridge will be over in a months time.