Udupi: Santhekatte underpass work accelerates as second phase gains momentum


Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (NP)

Udupi, Oct 17: The long-delayed second phase of the Santhekatte vehicular underpass is picking up speed, with an increase in workers and machinery. Despite persistent traffic and adverse weather conditions, the construction work is progressing rapidly, aiming to meet the revised deadline of early 2025 for the dual carriageway.

In the first phase, a two-lane road was completed and opened to vehicular traffic, but potholes quickly emerged, making travel difficult. Even as workers attempt daily repairs, constant traffic ensures that the problems reappear within hours. The situation is further complicated by ongoing rain, which has slowed down some progress.

Following site visits from local MPs and district officials who held several rounds of meetings with the National Highway Authority and the contractor the pace of work has significantly increased. The contractor, under pressure to complete the project, has ramped up efforts to ensure the second phase is finished by the end of this year, with the road expected to be fully operational by early 2025.

The construction of the second two-lane road, part of the underpass, is in full swing. Workers are currently focusing on demolishing topsoil and asphalt, while the building of the underpass barrier is progressing at an impressive rate. Roughly 100 meters of the barrier wall, stretching from the Brahmavar side, has been completed, with 25 more meters to go.

The key reasons for the surge in progress are the substantial increase in the workforce and machinery deployed at the site. Where previously only 25-30 workers were involved, now over 60 are working daily. Additionally, the number of JCBs in operation has risen from just one to three or four, with the latest machinery being used to accelerate tasks such as road demolition and barrier construction.

The rock-breaking work, a major obstacle to progress, has also gained momentum. Due to the presence of large rocks, breaking them with smaller, quieter machines during the day had been slowing down the project. However, the district administration recently granted permission for larger equipment to be used, allowing workers to tackle the larger rocks more efficiently. According to officials, only one major rock remains to be broken.

Despite the ongoing issues with potholes, heavy traffic, and rain, the Santhekatte underpass construction has made notable strides in recent weeks. With the increased deployment of resources, officials are confident that the remaining phases of the project will be completed on schedule, finally providing a smoother and more efficient route for commuters in the Udupi area.

 

 

 

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Arun, MANIPAL

    Thu, Oct 17 2024

    With today's technology nothing is impossible. What is required is political will and willingness of the agencies to get things done.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Francis J Martis, Barkur/New Jersey.

    Thu, Oct 17 2024

    From the outlook it appears, there is pressure to complete the work with the given deadline. The authorities, ministers and politicians dont have commonsence here, priority should be Quality of work not rush into getting it go wrong. That is how it works at the moment. Mark my words, you will see the project will end with poor construction.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • William DSouza, Kallianpur

    Thu, Oct 17 2024

    To whom they are bluffing. Let them hire enough manpower and speed up works.. they put photos and claim .

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Kusuma Kumari Gunji, Nellore Kodyadka

    Thu, Oct 17 2024

    This work has been going on for years It has to finish somehow to ease traffic at this dangerous junction There were so many accidents in this area now

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Raheja Waterfront

    Thu, Oct 17 2024

    We can only see the Gutter ...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kiran Poojary, Mangaluru/Bengaluru

    Thu, Oct 17 2024

    Our hope is increased now as we have sent back "Shikaripura Sose"

    DisAgree [1] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • real kujuma, kodial

    Thu, Oct 17 2024

    wah wah wah wah...one more example of highly corrupted third world country govt functioning....keep voting the nagpur gulams

    DisAgree [21] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Richard Anthony, Malpe Beach

    Thu, Oct 17 2024

    Work on Santhekatte underpass and Hebri highway is faster by Indian standards. Meanwhile in Kulur and Indrali they're struggling to build one bridge

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Udupi: Santhekatte underpass work accelerates as second phase gains momentum



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.