Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Mar 26: Work on building a six-lane bridge over Phalguni river at Kulur on NH 66 has been stalled. However, officials have been saying that they will start work next week since the past few months.

Countless projects of Dakshina Kannada, including the infamous Pumpwell flyover, have not been completed on time. The companies which take contract face various issues in carrying out the work. Kulur is a new addition to the list.

Shinde Developers Private Limited, a Pune-based company took up the contract of building the six-lane Kulur bridge at an estimated cost of Rs 56 crore. The work began on April 13, 2021.

According to the agreement, the work should have been completed by October 2022. The work of putting pile in the river is over. However, super structure, including girders remains pending. As per the manager of the company only 40% of the work has been completed. He is saying that the girder of 0.776 km length is being done at Pune and it will be fixed once completed.

It may be recalled that Shinde Developers Private Limited began work on Kulur bridge well before the official agreement. As this bridge is being built on government land, there was no problems pertaining to acquisition of land. Even the Aiyappa temple was removed easily.

NHAI project director Linge Gowda says, “Shinde Developers is facing a financial crisis. We have held meetings with them and they have assured us of starting the work soon.”

Mewa Singh, manager of Shinde Developers says, “40% of the work on Kulur bridge is over. For technical reasons, the project is getting delayed. We will begin the work in few days.”