From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Dec 26: A massive length of 3,745 kms of State Highways in as many as 70 different packages are proposed to be taken up in Karnataka by the State Government under the second phase of state highway development project.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who addressed a function organised to launch the project in Bangalore on Thursday, directed engineers of Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure quality of works and direct contractors to take up the responsibility of road maintenance for at least three years.

Work on roads would commence from next month and they would ensure connectivity from one district headquarters to another and to various taluks.
 
About 2,000 km road works are expected to be completed during the current financial year, the Chief Minister said.

The state government has decided to develop 7,254 kms of state highways with an investment of Rs 2797 crore in phase-I and phase-II.

In phase-I, the Chief Minister said 3,567 kms of roads are being developed at a cost of Rs 1439 under 66 packages.
Physical progress of 1,438 kms and financial progress of Rs 519 crore had been achieved during 2012-13.

A sum of Rs 414 crore had been spent to develop 895 km in 2013-14 so far, he said.

Siddaramaiah said the State received Rs 1800 crom the Central Road Fund (CRF) for developing roads this year.

The development of State Highways, the chief minister said, would fuel economic growth and with better road connectivity the State would be able to attract investment in tier II cities.

Development of infrastructure was an indicator for the progress of the State.

Referring to filling of potholes, the chief minister said filling of potholes by dumping soil would not solve the problem. He instructed engineers to follow proper procedures for filling potholes on roads.

A sum of Rs 100 crore had been sanctioned to fill potholes, Siddaramaiah said.

Referring to the bad condition of roads in Bangalore, he said all pending works on roads, flyovers and underpasses would be completed in the next five years.

The government has been facing financial constraints on account of pending bills to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore.

Pending bills of the Bangalore City Corporation alone stood at Rs 2,000 crore.

Karnataka’s Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa said the Centre has sanctioned Rs 95 crore for developing Shiradi ghat road.

The State has given 27 proposals to the centre for upgrading 4,000 state highways into national highways.

“We hope at least 2,000 km road will be upgraded to national highways,” he added.