Mangalore: 25-km Stretch on Shiradi Ghat Section to be Concreted
The Hindu
Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
MANGALORE, May 10: The Union Government has approved a proposal to concrete a 25-km stretch between Addahole and Maranahalli in Shiradi Ghat section on the Mangalore-Bangalore National Highway 48 at an estimated cost of Rs. 100 crore, according to C.M. Udasi, Minister for Public Works.
Addressing presspersons at the inspection bungalow in Shiradi, about 100 km from here, on Saturday, Mr. Udasi said that the State Government had initiated steps to prepare the estimation to this effect. After obtaining technical approval to it from the Union Government, the State Government would invite tenders for the work probably by October. It was planning to start the work by December. The Union Government was expected to approve the estimation by this June, he said.
The concreting of the 25-km stretch would provide a permanent respite to the people as it could withstand the impact of heavy rain, and the movement of heavy vehicles there, he added.
The Minister said that the ghat section had been recently repaired at a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore and all types of vehicles were plying on it.
The Government would deploy two or three teams of workers exclusively to repair the ghat section, if damaged during the impending rainy season. Using modern technology, potholes on the road could be filled even during the rainy season. The Government would ensure that people did not face any problem to travel through the ghat section during the rainy season, he said.
The Minister said that the Union Government had permitted the State Government to set up a weighbridge at Bhairapura, near Sakaleshpur, on NH 48 to keep tabs on movement of overloaded lorries. The State Government would acquire a five-acre plot there for this purpose. Once it was ready, only single-axle vehicles weighing up to 16 tonnes and double-axle vehicles weighing up to 24 tonnes would be allowed to ply on the ghat section.
Mr. Udasi said that the State Government would tar a 48-km stretch on the NH 48 between Gundya and Uppinangady at an estimated cost of Rs. 25 crore after the rainy season.
He said that the Government had plans to improve 22,000-km-long roads, mainly State highways and major district roads, in the State under public-private partnership. Bidders had shown interest to improve about 6,000 km to 8,000 km long roads in the first phase, he added.
CRF funds
The Minister said that the Union Government had released Rs. 553.06 crore to the State under Central Road Fund in 2008-09, he said.