Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru Aug 23: At a meeting held here on Tuesday August 22, the district administration gave its nod for widening of the national highway between the city and Karkala into a four-lane road with a width of 45 metres. At the same time, it has suggested some changes in the draft map of the road.
The meeting was held in the office of the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district. It was presided over by district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai. After holding detailed discussions, approval was given to the plan of the highway with certain modifications to the draft.
Project director of National Highways Authority of India, S P Somashekhar, displayed the revised map of the proposed road, duly recommending under bridges at ten spots, over bridge at one spot and two huge over bridges at Moodbidri and Kaikamba. He also informed that some changes for the convenience of general public had been made in the proposed road at places like Sanoor, Thodar, Mrattangady, Mijar, Kudupu and Yedapadavu in the light of objections raised in the previous meeting on the subject. There will be two bypass roads, one at Gurpur and another at Moodbidri. A spacious bridge across Gurpur river is also proposed.
He said that for the 45-km road between the city and Karkala, an investment of Rs 1,000 crore might be required, taking into account various under bridges, over bridges and other works. He said that for every kilometre of road, Rs 20 crore will be spent. If everything goes as per plan, works on the road might begin in about six months, he revealed. He said that road map has been modified for the third time in view of objections received, to suit public convenience. "The revised plan ensures that areas that are densely populated are not affected. The current one would probably be the final phase of modifications. As soon as we get approval from the deputy commissioner of the district, we will publish preliminary notification. Later, joint spot inspection will be conducted, following which land acquisition process will begin," he explained.
The current initiative of building national highway on this route is in place of the plan to widen the road that had been conceived in 2009. There are certain problems to widen the current road itself into national highway. The current plan has been envisaged, taking into account future needs of 30 to 40 years. Therefore, sections of the current road will be converted into national highway, and in the other places the road will newly laid, he stated.
As per vehicular census, hundreds of vehicles use this road every hour, and the current plan enables vehicles to cover the distance of 45 km in an hour. After the draft sketch is approved, revenue department and highways authority will conduct joint survey. If during this inspection it is found absolutely necessary, there is provision to make certain changes, he said.
People's representatives, politicians, entrepreneurs, and people owning landed property on the stretch through which the proposed road will be laid, participated in the meeting. Some urged to make further changes in the sketch. Minister, Ramanath Rai, said that the general public have the option to file objections to the plan even after official notification is issued about the national highway.
MLA, J R Lobo, city mayor, Kavita Sanil, deputy commissioner of the district, Dr K G Jagadeesha, additional deputy commissioner, Kumar, and zilla panchayat chief executive officer, Dr M R Ravi were present.