Mangaluru, February 28: Shiradi Ghat stretch developmental works which is being delayed is facing another problem.
Tendering process had been completed earlier for the second phase of concreting work on this stretch. But the union ministry of road transport and highways has ordered re-tender.
As the fresh tender process and its finalization might take duration of six more months, it is said that district in-charge minister and deputy commissioner of the district might favour opening of Shiradi Ghat road immediately after the first phase of work is completed.
For this 47 kilometer ghat stretch, the government proposes to conduct repairs, developments, and concreting work at a cost of Rs 155.18 crore. Shiradi Ghat road had been closed for traffic since December 1st, 2014, and the contractors have been given deadline of May end. Although the works are lagging behind now, the work is hoped to be completed before May 31st.
Even though MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, and minister, D V Sadananda Gowda, appraised the union minister and other officials of the need to complete the work on this road that is like lifeline between Mangaluru and Bengaluru, the ministry did not approve it as only a single tender was received. It has ordered to go for a fresh tendering process. The chief engineer in PWD department at Bengaluru has received a communication to this effect from the union department of road transport and highways.
Ramanath Rai, DK district in-charge minister, has held discussions with the deputy commissioner of the district about this situation. He has opined that it would be better to open the road for traffic soon after the first phase of work completion.
Citizens are facing a lot of problems to reach their destinations using alternative paths.
