Work should have been completed by December 2016

Karwar: The quadrilateral road construction work on National Highway 66, which passes through coastal part of the district is yet to gather pace. Following rains in recent months, construction work has been stopped in most of the parts.

The National Highway Authority (NHAI) has taken over the highway extension project from Kundapur, in Udupi, to Karwar, in North Karnataka district, which covers a total stretch of 189 km. The tender has been won by Mumbai based IRB Company.

As per work order, which was started in March 2014, with expenditure of Rs 1, 686 crore, the work was supposed to have been delayed due to tardy land acquisition process among others reasons.

The construction work of 14 large and 39 small bridges from Kundapur to Karnataka-Goa border, 60 km service road, three over bridges and three under bridges is in process.

Vehicle movement has been facilitated on the newly constructed 900 meter bridge across the river Sharavathi, in Honnavar taluk. The 80 % construction work of the new bridge across river Kali, in Karwar, has completed.

Some residents have demanded bypass construction in Karwar, Kumta and Bhatkal range, while others have opposed this.

Localities staged protest under the leadership of MLA Satish Sail, demanding bypass construction from Araga to Amadalli, in Karwar taluk. But he Highway Authority did not approve bypass construction.

Further, the bypass construction proposal was not approved for Bhatkal, while there is confusion of bypass in Kumta.

Speaking to reporters, Deputy Commissioner S S Nakul said, construction work was stopped to due to heavy rain in the coast. However, works will be restarted soon. As per the rules, forest and government lands has been handed over to Highway Authority.

He said, private land acquisition process is almost over and efforts are being carried out to prevent disasters. Officials have been directed to follow precautionary measures, he added.