Mangalore: It’s Smooth Ride to Airport Down the Road Come September
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RS/SB)
Mangalore, Jul 7: The new integrated terminal building of the Mangalore Airport at Bajpe here is all set to be inaugurated in the first week of September. And now the two-way road via Kenjar connecting airport that reduces the distance to the airport by eight kilometres is almost ready and will be opened for traffic at the time of terminal’s inaugural.
The major works of the newly constructed road are almost finished with electrification works pending, which will render the roads more convenient. It is the state government’s project which has been implemented using the Asian Development Bank loan and the work contract was given to Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC). The new road, which was planned as a four-way, is now a two-way lane after innumerable controversies and alleged private excavations in hillock, where the road project was framed.
According to Syed Elyas Pasha, KUIDFC executive engineer the road will open for traffic from September after it is handed over to Airport Authority of India (AAI). The minor works related to the new road, which includes place markings on the road and power supply to the lights, are pending, added Pasha. The existing road via Dakkan Park will be used as an entry to airport, whereas the new road will be to exit from the airport, as per the sources in AAI. But nothing in this regard has been finalized as yet.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 8.89 crore that includes strengthening of the existing road of 1.25 kilometres which was under the supervision of public works department. These works apart, a new 875-metre long road from Kenjar village junction to new airport terminus too has been laid.
The project that was conceptualized two years ago is now finally ready. Initially, the project faced hurdles as far as acquisition of land was concerned with few landowners refusing to part with their land. After the issue was resolved, the KUIDFC took up the works of construction of the road.
Meanwhile, another interesting fact is that Mangalore City Corporation had begun road works from KPT circle to Maravoor bridge in the name of airport connectivity road. After finishing works on one-kilometre stretch, the work gained a sluggish pace and is yet to be completed though MCC has received both central and state government grants. The contractors have been blamed for the slow progress of work. Once the project is completed then the way to the airport is all smooth.
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