The State government proposes to develop 3,745 km of State highways in 70 packages at a cost of Rs. 1,498.90 crore under the second phase of State highway development project.
Speaking at a function organised to launch the project here on Thursday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah instructed engineers of the Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure quality of works and direct contractors to take up road maintenance for at least three years.
Work on roads would commence from next month and they would ensure connectivity from one district headquarters to another and to various taluks. About 2,000 km of road works are expected to be completed during the current financial year.
In phase I and phase II, the State government has decided to develop 7,254 km of State highways with an investment of Rs. 2,797 crore. In phase I, the Chief Minister said 3,567 km of roads would be developed at a cost of Rs. 1,439 crore under 66 packages. Physical progress of 1,438 km and financial progress of Rs. 519 crore had been achieved during 2012-13. A sum of Rs. 414 crore had been spent to develop 895 km in 2013-14, he said.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said the State received Rs. 1,800 crore from the Central Road Fund (CRF) for developing roads this year. Besides fuelling economic growth, road connectivity would help the State attract investments in tier II cities. Development of infrastructure was an indicator of the progress of the State.
Referring to filling of potholes, the Chief Minister said filling them with soil would not solve the problem. He instructed engineers to follow proper procedure for filling up potholes. A sum of Rs. 100 crore has been sanctioned to fill potholes.
PotholesNoting the bad condition of roads in Bangalore, he said all pending works on roads, flyovers and underpasses would be completed in the next five years. The government has been facing financial constraints on account of pending bills of Rs. 9,000 crore. Pending bills of the Bangalore City Corporation alone stood at Rs. 2,000 crore.
Minister for Public Works H.C. Mahadevappa said the Centre has sanctioned Rs. 95 crore for developing the Shiradi Ghat road. The State has given 27 proposals to the Centre for upgrading 4,000 State highways into national highways. “We hope at least 2,000 km will be upgraded,” he said.
