Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Feb 26: The people of this region have long been demanding for a railway bridge connecting Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC). The central government has since given its approval for the project and the tender process has been completed. The proposed work will begin during the end of March and be completed in five months. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, said that he has sought a report after another round of scrutiny of the spot about the technical problems which the project faces.

Nalin Kumar Kateel visited the underbridge construction site near the Kabaka-Puttur railway station connecting APMC on Friday February 25. Speaking to media persons, he said that the officials have told him that the quality of soil at the spot where the proposed works will be executed is not up to the mark. "A railway level crossing is located there, and three sets of tracks have passed there. Therefore, the officials have opined that constructing an underbridge and fixing the girders there will be very difficult. We will look into all the aspects and finalize the design," he explained. He also said that the project now envisaged involved Rs 11.81 crore.

"Electrification has been undertaken at various segments on Konkan railway route. Likewise, the track electrification on Mangaluru-Bengaluru route will be completed in 2024 after which electric trains will move on these tracks. The central government has already given in-principle approval for Rs 10,000 crore in connection with the proposed mega tunnel at Shiradi Ghat. Soil inspection is going on there and the amount of detailed project report is likely to go up. Therefore, the central government will announce a revised plan. Expansion work worth Rs 1,200 crore has already been undertaken there,” the MP said.

MLA Sanjeeva Matandoor, municipal president Jeevandhar Jain, APMC president Dinesh Mediu, urban development authority chairman Bhami Ashok Shenoy, municipal commissioner Madhu S Manohar, and other officials were present.