A forceful demand was made at he district-level progress review meeting for construction of flyover at Nanthoor junction describing it as a motorists’ nightmare. Calls for widening the Mangalore-Moodbidri highway also echoed at a review meeting chaired by the District in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai, — the first after he assumed charge.
Mr. Rai, who holds Forest and Ecology portfolio, also shared his experience saying he always had to stop his vehicle at the “very dangerous” Nanthoor junction wondering “how and where to go”.
Mangalore City South MLA J.R. Lobo objected to the “unilateral” decision of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to drop the original plan to construct a flyover at the junction.
There was a proposal to construct it under the Port Connectivity Work (improvement of highway from Surathkal to Padil via Nanthoor Junction and Bikarnakatte).
NHAI project director Shri Ram Mishra said it was dropped two years ago because L-shaped flyover could not have served the purpose as it would only ease traffic on Bikarnakatte-Pumpwell stretch and vice versa. What was actually needed was a flyover to ease traffic along the national highway . To plan this flyover acquisition of land for about 150 metres — including a temple premises — would have to be acquired. He said would recommend the project to NHAI, if the State government undertakes to acquire the properties.
Meeting planned
It was decided to hold a meeting in this regard under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner N. Prakash. Mr. Rai said all elected representatives should be invited to the meeting.
When Mr. Lobo pointed out that one-side of the road in Bikarnakatte was too narrow, Mr. Mishra said this was because the buildings acquired for widening were yet to be demolished. Mr. Lobo also sought early completion of the Bikarnakatte flyover and expressed doubts about its quality. Mr. Mishra maintained that the structure was sturdy but its finishing was improper.
Mr. Prakash assured Mr. Lobo that these issues would also be taken up at the proposed meeting.
Mangalore-Moodbidri
Mr. Mishra said his office had forwarded a proposal to NHAI higher officials for building a 41-km four-lane road from Mangalore to Moodbidri.
The demand for widening of the road came from Minister for Fisheries and Youth Services Abhayachandra Jain.
Mr. Mishra said the proposal to widen the road from Mangalore to Shimoga was surveyed but it was found that the traffic was not heavy in this section. Mr. Jain, however, said the traffic was heavy between Mangalore and Moodbidri.
Stadium
Mangalore North MLA Mohiuddin Bava demanded construction of a cricket stadium in the land earlier allotted to the a power project at Baikpampady.
