Mangalore: Mahaveer circle demolished to make way for flyover

Naveen Menezes
Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore
 
Mangalore, Feb 23: The Mahaveer circle at Pumpwell, which has given a special identity to the port city since 2003, is being demolished to construct a two-way flyover connecting Nantoor - Thokkottu National highway in addition to a service road.

The 26-ft Kalasha, which added beauty to the circle and symbolically welcomed people to the city, may also be shifted to make way for the flyover which will be 22 ft in height.

Demolition work in progress

Speaking to daijiworld, N Kumar, civil engineer said, “The demolition of the circle for the two-way flyover on the national highway 66 has been undertaken. For the flyover, eight pillars will be erected, among which four will be at the spot where the Mahaveer circle is presently located. We have been directed to complete the work in six months. But the monsoon season may affect the flow of work. If all goes well, we will finish the work by September this year," he added.

According to the plan, vehicles plying directly to Nantoor from Thokkottu or vice versa will use the flyover. The 600-m long and 24-m wide flyover would allow two-way traffic. Those who want to take a turn towards Kankanady or Padil can make use of service roads. The construction of service roads on both sides below the flyover has already started, officials from National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) said.

Consequently, the huge Kalasha, which was installed in the year 2003, will be removed for the construction of the flyover. There are discussions to shift the Kalasha to a nearby vacant land, close to the police outpost. In addition, the officials are also contemplating on the possibility of retaining it just below the flyover.

Mahaveer circle in all its glory (Pics by Dayanand Kukkaje)

The Kalasha was donated by the Jain community after the spot was named Mahaveer circle. The Kalasha was inaugurated by Dr D Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala. Besides, the Karnataka Bank had donated an amount of Rs 2.5 lac for the development of the circle.

Speaking to daijiworld, MLA JR Lobo said, "Nothing has been finalized on where to place the Kalasha. We will find a vacant land nearby and see that the Kalasha does not affect the traffic." He also said that the Jain community does not have an issue with the removal of the Kalasha. "They only requested to place it at a convenient spot," he said.