Pics: Ramesh Pandith

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Aug 8: The work on Pumpwell flyover, which has been limping since the last many years, is likely to regain momentum shortly. It is said that the contractor firm has decided to fix girders within a few days. During this period, some traffic diversions would be needed.

In a few days, vehicles would be allowed only one-way traffic from under the under-construction flyover. As such, vehicles moving towards Padil, Thokkottu etc from Kankanady can move from under the flyover. For this purpose, the firm executing the flyover work has removed things which were heaped on the road below the flyover and asphalted this stretch. However, vehicles moving to Kankanady from the direction of Padil will have to move by taking round trip around the flyover. Similar arrangements have been made for Thokkottu flyover.

Traffic at Pumpwell on August 8 with a lorry trapped under flyover

As per the current plan, vehicles would be allowed to move from under the flyover from Kankanady towards Padil when the work on the flyover will begin. As there is a huge drain and road leading to Nanthoor, further traffic diversions may be needed in course of time. A minor bridge here also is expected to create problems for the flyover work.

Vehicles moving to Pumpwell from Kankanady area have to move on one part of the flyover while the vehicles going to Kankanady from Padil have to take a u-turn before moving ahead.

The flyover work has been pending since long for various reasons including political reasons. Pressure has been brought by the MP, case for delay in execution has been filed against the contracting firm, and union surface transport minister, Nitin Gadkari, is expected to bring pressure. The Pumpwell flyover which is just 600 metres in length and 20 metres in width has taken over seven years so far and yet works are pending. It is hoped that the concerned will join together to complete the work at the earliest at least now.