Shiradi: The crucial link between coastal Karnataka and state capital-Shiradi is expected to be shut down for repair work soon. While the department intends to take up Phase II of developmental work, the fact is that the road that was developed under Phase I have chipped off posing inconvenience to commuters.
Concrete road was laid instead of bitumen road from Maranahalli to Addahole under the Phase I covering 11.77 kms at a cost of Rs 69.90 crores last year.
But, within a year, the concrete road, which should have lasted for about 75 years, has chipped off. Huge potholes are seen on the road to the extent that iron rods laid under the road are lurking. The granules and chips from the road have been deposited on the roadsides and very often two-wheeler riders have ended up skidding off road in a bid to compromise the potholes. Riding on this stretch becomes all the more precarious in the night.
The situation has only gone from bad to worse during the monsoons. The locals are irked by the fact that despite the plight of the upgraded road speaking eloquently on the quality of work executed by the company that held the contract for developing the road under Phase I, the department concerned has not taken any action against the company.
Under the Phase II, a stretch of 13 kms (Addahole to Kempuhole) developed. Th locals demand the elected representatives to make sure that the plight of road developed under Phase II does not turn out to be a waste exercise like Phase I.
“Is this not a blatant misuse and insult to hard-earned money of the tax payers,” questions a businessman from Mangaluru who take Shiradi Ghat frequently to reach Bengaluru.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that a committee of engineers will be constituted to look into the matter and action will be initiated accordingly.
