Pics: Jeevan D'Costa
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (NP)
Udupi, Apr 7: After months of anticipation and delays, a portion of the much-awaited vehicular underpass project in Santhekatte is finally nearing completion and the vehicular movement is expected to commence in a week. The work had begun in January 2023. The project also faced some major road collapse challenges in the monsoon. The underpass, a long-standing demand of the people, has faced numerous setbacks since its commencement, including glitches and weather-related challenges. The project, costing Rs 27.4 crore for a 1 km stretch, has been a subject of considerable inconvenience for locals and shop owners alike.
According to the authority overseeing the project, the tarmac work on one side of the road is in its final stages, paving the way for vehicle movement to commence within the next 10 days. This development comes as a relief to motorists who have endured traffic congestion and diversions due to the ongoing construction.
Delays in the construction timeline, attributed to factors such as inclement weather and logistical hurdles, have resulted in financial losses for businesses and limited access to essential services for residents. Concerns have also been raised regarding the stability of the road, particularly during the rainy season, as essential infrastructure like retaining walls on one side is yet to be completed. Drainage systems have been installed, but the risk of overflow remains a looming threat, especially with the presence of large rocks along one side of the road.
Shop owners in Santhekatte stress the urgent need for the completion of the service road to attract more customers and mitigate financial losses. Residents, like Shaib from Brahmavar, express dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of development efforts by the government and call for immediate action to address the challenges faced by the community.
Sanjeev, speaking about the broader struggle faced by small businesses in the area, highlights the imperative need for easy accessibility to customers to sustain revenue streams and livelihoods. Rajesh, another local resident, emphasizes concerns about accessibility to essential services like medical facilities and transportation, stressing the need for the timely completion of the project to alleviate further inconvenience.
Business owner Raju anticipates prolonged disruptions even after the underpasses are operational, as people may continue to use the service road. While the impending commencement of vehicle movement brings a glimmer of hope for residents, the prospect of additional underpasses being constructed in the area raises uncertainty about the completion timeline.
In light of these concerns, residents urge government officials to prioritize the needs of the community and expedite efforts to address the challenges arising from the prolonged construction period.