After several failed deadlines over the last few years, MP-elect Nalin Kumar Kateel on Thursday threw open the newly constructed Thokkottu flyover, part of a project to convert National Highway 66 between Talapady and Kundapur in four lanes, for traffic.
The flyover, built at a junction of NH 66 with Thokkottu-Konaje Road, would considerably ease vehicular movement in Thokkottu town.
Earlier, Mr. Kateel was under attack by political parties and the general public for his alleged failure to expedite work on Thokkottu and Pumpwell flyovers. The four-laning work had commenced eight years ago and was almost completed, except for these two flyovers in Dakshina Kannada and at Shastri Circle in Kundapur, Udupi district.
Mr. Kateel, who was re-elected for the third time from Dakshina Kannada constituency, recently urged Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to sanction additional funds to Navayuga Udupi Tollway Pvt. Limited, NHAI concessionaire executing the work, for completing the two flyovers.
The concessionaire was asked to complete the Thokkottu and Pumpwell flyover works by March 31 and May 31, respectively.
Meanwhile, traffic movement on Thokkottu flyover started even as NHAI is yet to give safe crossing at Ullal Cross for vehicles moving towards Ullal from Mangaluru. The Ullal Cross is located just after the down ramp of the flyover.
“According to blue print of the work, the NHAI has to construct a circle a few metres after the down ramp. The work is on. The service roads need to be repaired. I will review the work shortly,” Mr. Kateel told reporters.
NHAI personnel were seen working on creating a safe crossing for vehicles, 150 metres away from the down ramp.
A few minutes into the opening of traffic, vehicles moving towards the city piled up on the flyover and also on the service road. It took nearly an hour for the police to ensure smooth traffic flow.
A barricade was placed at the end of down ramp towards the city to prevent a possible traffic there. The city police have proposed a road hump on the service road to slow down vehicles approaching Ullal Cross.
