Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 24: "All deadlines given to you to complete flyovers at Thokkottu and Pumpwell have passed. We have been tired of facing public wrath. I hereby give you an option - either stop toll collection at Talapady tollgate till the work is completed or be prepared for get arrested," said Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament, Nalin Kumar Kateel.

He was speaking at a meeting of the senior officials of the national highway authority and representatives of contracting company which was held on Wednesday morning at his office and at a hotel in the afternoon. He also summoned some policemen to the meeting to threaten officials with arrest.

He reminded the officials that they had given fresh deadlines to finish the flyover works each time. The initial deadline was August last year, which was put off to December and finally to February. He expressed anger at the officials for now saying that the work would be completed by March or May. "I have lost patience. You can stay inside the prison. Your higher officials come here only when you are jailed. On the other hand, stop collection of toll charges. Only then the top brass understands the seriousness of the issue," he thundered.

Navayuga Infrastructure general manager, A S N Murthy, and chief project director, Shankar Rao, said that flyover work and toll collection are altogether different issues. They sought more time to be able to bring the issue to the notice of higher ups in the company. Nalin told them that they should confess if they are unable to complete flyovers. He offered to get the same done through local contractors.

The city sub-divisional officer, Ravichandra Nayak, said that several cases have already been registered against contractors about the chaos at Nanthoor and Pumpwell. He said that there is provision to file more such cases. 

National Highways Authority Bengaluru regional manager, R K Sooryavamshi, suggested that a letter can be sent to the ministry seeking to know as to why toll collection should not be stopped because of delay on executing works. He wanted the contractors to complete works without waiting for this happen. 

The MP asked the concerned to give momentum to land acquisition process for Mangaluru - Karkala highway via Moodbidri and make arrangements for the laying of foundation by the union minister by February 20. He also said that managing director of Navayuga would be summoned to the city on February 28 and a meeting would be held at 5 pm that day. He warned that if a final decision about the works cannot be arrived at, toll collection would be stopped without allowing further time. He also asked to resume suspended works on B C Road - Gundya stretch immediately. He asked the officials to close potholes o highway before February 3 and pave way for smooth traffic failing which the project director and contractor would be held responsible and case would be registered against them.