Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 11: The court has cleared the decks for the development of second phase concreting of Shiradi Ghat stretch of national highway 75. The work was pending after the company to which this contract was granted, defaulted and then went to court against cancellation of contract granted to it. Therefore, there has been a delay of about two years.

The second phase of this stretch had been granted to M/s G V R Infra Projects after tender was floated, in 2015. Although the company was expected to stock raw materials in advance and begin work immediately after the rainy season, it was observed that it failed to do so. Thereafter, department of highways had cancelled the tender, against which the company had approached the court. As a result, re-tendering process got delayed. As the court has upheld the decision of the highways department, the re-tendering process is in final stages now, it is gathered. With this, the people hope, the wretched stretches of this road will begin to provide pleasant experience to vehicle users soon.

Shiradi ghat road - file photo

National highways section of public works department has begun preparations to undertake this work now. In all probability, the work might begin in about a month from now. In the second phase, 12.38 km of concrete road (tender amount Rs 63.10 crore) and 21 km of asphalting work (tender amount Rs 22.18 crore) with a total outlay of Rs 85.28 crore will be undertaken. Ocean Construction will be undertaking this work.

The people using this road will have to take alternative routes to reach Hassan and Bengaluru. The district administration is expected to prescribe alternative routes for heavy vehicles, buses, and light vehicles during the period this work will be in progress.