Mangaluru: The four-laning work of National Highway 66 between Talapady and Kundapur will be completed by March 2019, informed regional officer of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) R K Suryvavamshi on Tuesday, September 25.

This fresh date was announced during a progress review meeting on the national highway, at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, wherein NHAI officials and those who lost their lands were also present. Though the meeting was supposed to chaired by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, he joined the meeting after an hour. Hence, the meeting was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar.

Earlier, the public expressed their displeasure over the unscientific work at various places and non-completion of flyovers including Thokkottu, Mahaveer Circle (Pumpwell) in Mangaluru and Karavali Circle at Udupi. President of National Highway Agitation Committee Deviprasad Shetty said, “During the highway widening work, bridges have not been built at several places. Service roads have not been completed. Improper connectivity of internal roads to the highway also causes road accidents”, he said.

‘Don’t collect toll until work is completed’

Kaup Divakar Shetty, who has been in the forefront in protests against the toll collection said, NHAI had missed several deadlines which were set to complete the work. “Though the work has not been completed, NHAI collects the toll in four places. The officials have misguided the government and court claiming that around 80 percent of the highway work was already completed. As the locals sacrificed their land for the widening of the highway, vehicles which have the registration numbers of KA-19 and KA-20 should be exempted from toll collection, he said.

Unscientific highway work: 1500 persons killed and 4000 injured since 2010

Pointing the statistics of traffic police on road accidents, Divakar Shetty said, “After the commencement of highway widening work from 2010, over 1500 persons were killed and over 4000 injured in the road accidents that occurred between Talapady and Kundapur. It is only because of the unscientific and incomplete work on the national highway. NHAI is not taking these issues seriously”, he alleged.

‘Get feasibility reports on all bridges’

Divakar Shetty urged that an inspection be conducted on all the bridges which come between Talapady to Kundapur and to prepare a feasibility report. “Kuloor bridge is in a dilapidated condition and it is very dangerous to ply on this. As most of the bridges on this stretch are in the same status, a feasibility report should be prepared”, he stressed.

Responding to it, R K Suryavamshi said, “We knew the condition of Kuloor bridge was pathetic and the report also says that the bridge is not sustainable for vehicular movement. Hence, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is already done. We will inspect all the bridges and prepare a feasibility report soon”, he said.

Why additional land at Nelyadi?

The residents of Nelyadi, who gave their land for the widening of National Highway 75 complained that the employees of contract agency “L&T” were trying to acquire extra land in Nelyadi. “Though we have already given our land and received compensation for the same, the employees of L&T are again demanding an additional land of around two metres”, they said and demanded a flyover at Nelyadi junction.

After discussing with the officials of NHAI, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar clarified that the width of the highway would be 45 meters, for which land acquisition has already been done. “There is no proposal for acquiring additional land. We will communicate with the contracting agency L&T and rectify the problem”, he said. Meanwhile, he informed that the flyover proposal at Nelyadi would be finalised after conducting an inspection and preparing a feasibility report.