Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)

Mangalore, November 29: As by now everyone is aware that a tender proposal is pending with regard to the repair of 27 km stretch on Shiradi Ghat road. In view of this the Ministry of surface transport and highways has requested the chief engineer of state public works department to come to them with a letter of recommendation from Government of Karnataka, for its approval.
 
Hence it is expected according to informed sources within the city division of the National Highways that the chief engineer and other officials most probably will be going to Delhi on Thursday, November 29.

If all augurs well at the national capital then hopefully the repair work on the entire stretch could be completed by June next. So much of uncertainty has been hanging over the commencement of the work on 27-km stretch till now. And as long as this stretch from 237th km to 264th km is not repaired, travelling on the ghat section will always be a fearsome ordeal for commuters.

The public eagerly awaits the 3 km stretch to be concretized and the rest asphalted. Till date the tender has not be cleared as only one contractor has offered to take up the repair of the 27km stretch. He has quoted 26% higher than the scheduled rates, sources here informed.

In the State government’s original estimate in 2006, the cost was estimated at Rs 14 crore and later it was revised in 2007 to Rs 17 crore, taking into consideration the market conditions. At the rate of 26% by the single contractor referred above, he is in reality demanding Rs 21 crore more for repairing the stretch. Moreover there are many routes on NH 17 and NH 48 falling under the city jurisdiction which has not been asphalted since 2003-04 due to financial constraints.

Sources also inform that quite a long time back the state public works division had sent proposals to the Ministry to take up asphalting and repairs of some stretches. It had sent a proposal to asphalt 46-km stretch from 263 km to 309 km, between Amai bridge and Gundya forest gate on NH 48, at a cost of Rs 21.5 crore.

Proposals had also been sent to the Ministry for asphalting a 15 km stretch in Shiroor area on NH 17 from 241 km to 256 km stone, and a 10 km stretch between Udyavara bridge and Padubidri, also on NH 17 (between 331 km and 341 km) at Rs 14 crore, to which now the above response from the Centre has been received.