Land acquisition for NH four-laning works inevitable : Oscar

Mangalore Today News Network

Kaup, Oct 2, 2013 :  Union Minister for Transport, Roads and Highway Oscar Fernandes has said that  four-laning of highways  at  least  up to 60 meters wide is inevitable in the coastal district  in order to avert  traffic congestion and accidents.

Speaking to reporters after accepting memoranda from  various organizations demanding construction of an under pass at Katapady and a fly over at Kaup on the NH 66, the Union Minister said the land is being presently acquired for  highway expansion  with a foresight.

 Commenting on debates as to why 60 meter land is acquired in Karnataka for highway expansion when compared to 30 meters in Kerala and 40 meters in Goa,  Oscar said  not only is land  very costly in Kerala and Goa, the density of traffic is also less when compared to the coastal districts. There is also a fear that even acquisition of 60 meters land would be  insuffice considering the traffic congestion here, Oscar said.

On the slow pace of works at some places, Oscar said the contractors were not to be blamed and added some problems in the Highway Department was  the reason for the delay. He hoped that the highway expansion works would be complete before the next monsoons.

On the  confusion over Highway expansion in Padubidri, Kaup and Katapady, the minister said talks will be held with the officials and elected representatives and measures would be taken to find a technical solution to the problem. He said a final decision would be taken at the meeting  to be held under the presidentship of MP Jayaprakash Hegde and his decision would be final.

Jayaprakash Hegde, MP, JD(S) District President Deviprasad Shetty, former minister Vasanth Salian and representatives of various organizations were present.