Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Oct 10: District commissioner Dr K Vidyakumari has directed that a case be filed against the contractors and officials responsible for negligence in the construction of the Indrali flyover on National Highway 169A, which has resulted in numerous accidents leading to deaths and injuries.

At a review meeting held on Thursday, October 10, at the deputy commissioner’s office in Manipal on the progress of the Indrali flyover construction, Dr Vidyakumari expressed concern over the delay in construction and the frequent accidents it has caused. She pointed out that the project has been delayed for two years, leading to fatal road accidents due to the narrow road conditions. The district commissioner stressed that the officials from the National Highways Authority, engineers, and contractors responsible for these accidents must be held accountable, and criminal cases should be registered against them.

In 2023 alone, the delay in completing the flyover resulted in eight accidents, causing one death and leaving seven people with serious or minor injuries. In 2024, ten more accidents occurred, leading to two deaths and eight serious injuries. The negligence of contractors and engineers from the Railways and National Highways was cited as the cause of these mishaps.

The Indrali flyover construction was planned as early as 2018-19, but due to poor coordination and negligence by the authorities, the project has seen little progress. Dr Vidyakumari issued a stern order for the construction to be completed by November 10. She also directed that while the welding of iron girders for the bridge is in progress, inspections of the girders and the installation of bearings on the railway track must be done simultaneously. Approvals and necessary arrangements to halt train traffic during this work should also be completed in parallel.

Udupi superintendent of police Dr Arun K noted that several public protests have been held over the delays in the project and emphasized that the district administration must be held accountable. He warned that officials who fail to complete the project on time would be held responsible for the accidents that have resulted in deaths and injuries. He added that contractors and officials from the National Highways and Railway departments involved in recent road accidents will be treated as offenders and arrested, with their cases presented before the court.

The meeting was attended by additional deputy commissioner Mamatha Devi GS, senior engineer of Konkan Railways Gokuldas, assistant executive engineer of the Sringeri-Chikkamagaluru National Highway division Manjunath, district information officer Manjunath B, and other officials.