Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Nov 26: Lack of coordination between the district administration and National Highways Authority of India, complications created by the forest department, changes in tender terms during the stage of execution, bypass issue at Kalladka and other such things seem to have dampened the spirit of L&T Company to which the work of concreting the B C Road - Addahole road on NH 75 into a four-lane highway was entrusted. The contracting firm, which had put together men, machinery, and materials for the project near Panemangaluru, has been seen shifting them since the last some days. This has given rise to the belief that the company has decided to disassociate itself with the project.
File photo
After Union minister for highways, Nitin Gadkari, laid foundation stone for this road in March 2016, L&T had entered into contract to execute this road project. An understanding with national highways authority of India was entered into between the two in 2017. The company was to complete the concreting and widening the road into four-lane in 30 months.
It is said that non-issuance of no objection letter by forest department at Gundya, confusion about flyover or bypass road in Kalladka, changes made in the project, land acquisition delays etc have forced the company to decide against continuing to be associated with this project.
The people were hoping that this road which involved construction of service roads, several minor bridges, nine under passes and two flyovers in addition to two major bridges, would be finished early and their travel time to places situated on this road would be reduced significantly. Although the MP and some officials are hopeful that the National Highways Authority will step in and see that the road works will continue, unless they do something urgently the continuance of road work on this project appears to be heading for doom.
The 63 kilometre road has an outlay of Rs 821 crore. 251.54 hectares of land was acquired for the purpose by paying a compensation of Rs 122 crore.