Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Feb 28: "Thokkottu and Pumpwell flyovers will be inaugurated on April 10 and May 31 respectively," said Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel.

The meeting of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), chaired by Nithin Gadkari's private secretary, Vaibhav Dange was held at Hotel Taj Gateway on Thursday, February 28, in the presence of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs Vedavyas Kamath, Dr Bharath Y Shetty, Rajesh Naik and NHAI officials.

Soon after the meeting, addressing media here on Thursday February 28, Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "Minister’s private secretary Vaibhav Dange has given the deadline for the completion of Pumpwell and Thokkottu flyovers. As per the schedule, Navayuga Company will clear the service road and junction of Pumpwell and Thokkottu on or before March 15, Thokkottu flyover and Ujjodi underpass on April 10 and Pumpwell flyover will be inaugurated on May 31,"

"There were lots of problems pertaining to national highway. Navayuga Company took over the development works in the year 2012. They have completed works of Pavanje and Netravati bridge at a fast pace, but Pumpwell and Thokkottu flyovers remained stagnant due to land acquisition and clearance, which was to be done by the state government and district administration. Even there was a demand to change the design of the Pumpwell flyover due to the construction of bus stand but NHAI did not agree and retained the same design," added Nalin.

Nalin Kumar further said, “In the meantime, Navayuga Company was pushed into financial doldrums and started to collect the toll, which led to agitation by the people. The financial issue of the company is cleared now in the meeting by doing all the work related to the bank and getting a release of Rs 55 crore for both the projects. Central government will also release additional grant of Rs 7 crore for service road clearance,"

"During the meeting, Navayuga Company highlighted the issue of sand scarcity in the district. Even to utilize the MP funds for the development works there is sand scarcity in the district, which has to be cleared by state government and district administration," said Nalin. 

Tollgate problem

"Suratkal tollgate will be scrapped within a month by conducting a meeting and there will be no collection of toll for the local vehicles, including vehicles bearing registration number of KA 19," he informed.

Privatisation of airport

Speaking over the privatisation of Mangaluru airport, MP Nalin said, "Mangaluru airport will start international flights soon. Mangaluru will be developed with the help of schemes launched by the central government."

‘Gadkari has dedicated several development works’

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "Minister Nithin Gadkari has dedicated several development works, worth Rs 250 crore, which includes Mulky-Kateel-BC road, Melkar-Konaje-Talapady stretch under Bharathmala project, Kulshekar-Karkala four lane road and fishing jetty at Chitrapura for which foundation stone will be laid within a week." 

MLA’s Vedavyas Kamath, Umanath Kotian, Dr Bharath Y Shetty, Rajesh Naik, project director Samson Vijay Kumar, Lingegowda, managing director of Navayuga Sridhar, regional officer NHAI Suryavamshi and others were present.