Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JS/EP)

Udupi, March 29: A huge rock has come as a stumbling block and is likely to be a setback to complete work on the much-awaited Santhekatte overpass.

The central highway authority had approved the construction of the overpass at a cost of Rs 27.4 crores for the smooth movement of traffic and pedestrians as a solution to the issues faced by the widening of national highway at Santhekatte junction. MP Shobha Karandlaje, MLA Raghupathi Bhat and others had laid its foundation on January 12, 2023.

MLA Raghupathi Bhat had asked the contractors to work in three shifts and complete the work before the monsoon. It appears that it may not be possible now.

Approval from eight government departments will be necessary to explode or vacate the rock from its current location. It will not be easy to explode it in an area of huge human habitat and dense traffic. 

The old market is situated parallel to the part where the rock was found. Locals say that the rock was found on the surface. Therefore, suitable preparations and planning before the work would have helped.

The situation will be complex if the work does not get over before the rainy season. The contractors need to expedite the work on a war footing. Passengers from Brahmavar are boarding the buses on the national highway at Santhekatte junction at present. Commuters waiting for buses on the highway in the absence of alternate facilities will also be risky.