Bangalore: DPR for two-lane tunnel bypass road for Shiradi Ghat section

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug 30: An ambitious two-lane tunnel bypass road is proposed to be taken at the Shiradi Ghat section connecting Bangalore to coastal city of Mangalore at an estimated cost of Rs 2,700 crore.

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has given a green signal to take up feasibility study and to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the tunnel road bypass in Shiradi Ghat section of National Highway 48.

A team of experts from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited the Shiradi Ghat and submitted a preliminary report on 18.5 km tunnel road bypass.

As per the JICA estimates, a four-lane project would cost Rs 3,800 crore.

However, the State Government would like to take up a two-lane project on a pilot basis, which is expected to cost Rs 2,700 crore.

This information was given by Karnataka’s Public Works Dr H C Mahadevappa, who submitted details of various road project proposals in the State to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Oscar Fernandes in New Delhi on August 27.

The Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry has taken a decision to accord in principal approval for getting feasibility studies and detailed engineering study (DPR) with regard to the tunnel road bypass in Shiradi Ghat section.

The DPR preparation may require around one year, Dr Mahadevappa said indicating that the final cost may go up when the project is actually implemented.

The department has decided to repair the 47 km road at a cost of Rs 28 crore, the minister said pointing out that the very bad condition of the Shiradi Ghat road was a matter of serious concern to motorists, goods and transport operators and people visiting the coastal region

The project has been submitted to the Centre as one of the proposals for the year 2013-14, Dr Mahadevappa said.

He pointed out that it was mandatory to repair this stretch of road once in three years. But unfortunately, the Shiradi Ghat section road had not been repaired since last five years.

The minister said the repair work would begin after the monsoon season was over.

Dr Mahadevappa also admitted bad condition of nearly 10,000 km road in the State.

Filling up potholes will be taken up after the end of the monsoon rains, he said.

The minister said the public works department required nearly Rs 1,200 crore to fix potholes.

Pinning hopes on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s review of the PWD works in the first week of next month, the minister disclosed that the department would request the release Rs 1,200 crore for pothole filling.