Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP/CLP)
Puttur, Jul 23: The first phase of work on Shiradi Ghat has been completed, with only the finishing work that is in progress now remaining. It is learnt that this road will be open for light vehicles from August 1 onward, whereas heavy vehicles will be allowed to ply from August 15.
At present, the task of filling the roadsides with a mixture of sand and concrete is going on to close the difference of height between the concrete road and sides.
There is however, apprehension about the second phase of the work, as tender process for the remaining 13 km road development is yet to be finalized. Though GVR company from Hyderabad has bagged the contract, the central finance ministry is yet to give the green signal. Also, the road may be closed again during the second phase of work.
The contractors had been originally given 18 months time to complete road works here, but they were pressurized to finish it in six months, taking into consideration the problems faced by people from various districts who are heavily dependent on this road. The contractors got possession of the road in January instead of November first week last year, thus delaying the work further. However, they have finished work in seven months, in spite of the fact that they came across a number of obstacles and challenges in between like heavy rain during April.
Speaking to daijiworld, contractor Inayath said, "The work was handed over to us 6 months ago and we have completed the first phase. Now curing process is going, August first week the road will be opened for light vehicles and about 10 days after that, for heavy vehicles. Earlier the road was 7 metres wide, now it is 8.5 metres.
"We have used all the necessary machinery, imported from Germany. If it had been manual work, it would have taken two years. Twelve escalators, three concrete mixers, 50 tippers and 350 labourers were involved in this work," he said.
"The tender for the second phase of work is not yet finalized. The work on the remaining stretch will be easier," he added.
The contractors disclose that they had to withstand protests, continued movement of vehicles claiming to be owned by locals, vehicles of people in powerful positions, and those who sneak in by luring the workers. Problems of wild animals, shortage of workers who are prepared to do night shift, also posed challenges. There had been some attacks on security personnel, workers etc. The site had steady stream of visitors in the form of officials, politicians, experts, social activists etc.
R K Jain, member of Indian Road Congress, which has prepared a documentary on the works here, and Prof P B Pandey of Kharagpur Indian Institute of Technology have certified about the quality of works here. The contractors say that high quality has maintained in laying this road, geo textile sheets have been laid for the entire stretch, thus doing away with the risk of water percolating down the ghat section damaging the road.
PWD and district in-charge minister are expected to visit Shiradi on July 26, after which a decision about allowing vehicles to move on this stretch will be announced. Nataraj, national highway department executive engineer, said that heavy vehicles will be allowed after a gap of about two weeks since light vehicles begin to use this road.