Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 22: Minister for PWD, port and inland water transport, Dr H S Mahadevappa, said that suitable maintenance works to keep the Shiradi ghat stretch of national highway 75 will be undertaken before the end of Match this year to ensure that the road remains motorable.

In reply to question raised by MLC, Ivan D'Souza, in the legislative council, the minister said that the tender given to a contractor to undertake second phase work at Shiradi ghat worth Rs 90.27 crore was cancelled as the contractor did not make proper preparations in time. He added that steps would be taken to call for re-tender for these works.

He also said that union ministry of surface transport and highways has sanctioned grant of Rs 10.15 crore for preparing feasibility study and detailed project report  in connection with proposed tunnel road at Shiradi ghat. "M/s Geo Consultants Gurgaon was appointed to prepare feasibility report. The reports were sent to the central government. Geo-technical study report is under preparations. 29 borewells created by rigging hole in the land at the spots where tunnel and bridges will pass are being studied. This report would be sent by July. Once the project report is approved, tender process will be undertaken by January next year," he explained.