Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Mar 11: The work of Indrali railway overbridge on national highway (NH) 169 which has been delayed from a very long time, will be a reality soon. The ministry of road transport and highways has approved the construction of an overbridge in Indrali which was much delayed due to the rift between ministry of road transport and highways and railways.

The four-lane road has been completed on both ends of the bridge and commuters are quite happy with the work.

Speaking about the approved plan, Shobha Karandlaje, minister for state agriculture and farmer welfare and Udupi Chikkamagaluru MP said, “There was a rift between Konkan railway and national highway authority and it included some technical problems too. Hence, the bridge work was delayed. Now Rs 14.53 crore have been sanctioned for the work. Union minister Nitin Gadkari has approved the additional cost of Rs 5.58 crore for the project.”

A 54-meter (total length) bowstring arch bridge will be built at Indrali as per the design approved by RDSO.

Raghupati Bhat, MLA Udupi giving out the details of the project said, “The most awaited work of Indrali overbridge is sanctioned. I was very much worried thinking if the work would be approved before the election or not. A meeting was chaired under the presidency of union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari. Now the work order has also been issued and work will begin immediately. The work will be completed within two to three months.”

The delayed work was much criticized. Social worker Nithyananda Volakadu had even performed an ‘Urulu Seve’ as a part of protest. The issue was highlighted at the national level also.