Mangaluru: The Forum for Justice, Mangaluru, on Thursday, February 21, held a press meet with regard to the construction of the 4.5 meter high ‘flyover’ at NH 66, Pumpwell circle, which has reportedly violated the specifications and construction agreement.
During briefing, NG Mohan, Chief Spokes Person of Forum for Justice, Praveen Chandra Jain, Secretary, and members said that after the delay of several years, finally it is announced that, on February 28, the flyover at Pumpwell and Thokkottu will be inaugurated by Minister for Surface Transport and National Highways Nitin Ghadkari.
The Forum has opined that the people are being taken for a ride by the politicians regarding the completion of the project.
“We are given to understand that the international and national standard specification for the height of flyover is 5.5 meters. According to the Bridge Engineer of the Pumpwell flyover, the height of the flyover is to be 5.25 meters as per the drawing. However, further he says, as per the ‘Construction Agreement’ the height of the flyover should be 5 meters. Yet it is strange and surprising to see a board erected near the flyover indicating the height of the flyover as 4.5 meters,” points the Forum.
The General Manager of the National Highway Authorities at Mangaluru, when questioned stated that the flyover will be constructed to 5.25 meters height as per the drawing, but when the construction agreement was referred to, he has stated that the NHAI is committed to 5 meter height. It is to be noted that, presently, it is being constructed at 4.5 meters height. Yet they promise to raise it to 5 meters height, the Forum said adding that it is obvious that the road underneath the flyover will be dug to make the flyover 5 meter height. The NHAI is slapping this ‘trick’ on our face and is befooling the nation.
After many rounds of talks with the NHAI Authority, we have approached the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, who has promised us to take up the matter with the NHAI Authority, but we are sure that his efforts will not bring any change in the height of the flyover, they add.
