Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 28: Thokkottu flyover, construction of which had been limping since the last eight years, had gained speed since the last some months. It is almost ready, and may be opened for vehicular traffic on June 10.

The asphalting work of the flyover from the top till the road connects the main road has been completed. Work on sealing the cracks which have in the concreting on the flyover and construction of protective walls are under way. Work of filling mud and levelling with concrete mix is going on in the other side.

Navayuga Company's chief project director, Shankar Rao, has exuded confidence that the balance work would be completed in five days, following which curing will be done for seven days. He is confident of opening the flyover for public use on June 10.

Thokkottu flyover - File photo

The flyover is expected to provide respite to the dense traffic on the main road and the service road. Shankar Rao said that the service road would be repaired and obstacles would be removed to pave way for smooth traffic.

The flyover project had faced several problems. After teething problems like reluctance of locals to sacrifice their land for the project, there was demand to change the design of the flyover. Thereafter, Navayuga faced financial crisis. Therefore the flyover construction was in limbo.

During the last some years, protests, accusations, Padayatras etc were held and the local MP had visited the flyover site many a time, checked development, and warned the officials and contractors.

On February 28 this year, at a meeting attended by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel with the participation of MLAs from the district and union minister for highways, Nitin Gadkari and his personal secretary, the company was asked to complete the work by May 31. To facilitate this, a cheque of Rs 55 crore was also handed over at the meeting.