Mangaluru: The National Highways Authority Of India (NHAI) has given in-principle approval for the construction of a service road in Bannadka and other infrastructure at the cost of Rs 5.8 crore, as part of the ongoing four-laning work on National Highway-169 from Sanur to Bikarnakatte, said Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta.Responding to requests from local residents and organisations, in-principle approval has already been granted for the service road that had been omitted in the Bannadka area and for the construction of a new foot overbridge near Vamanjoor Junction, Chowta said. He said that under this project, works at an estimated cost of Rs 5.8 crore will include the construction of the 700m service road and drains in Bannadka, and the widening of box culverts, at a cost of Rs 4.1 crore. In addition, a well-equipped foot overbridge will be constructed near Vamanjoor at a cost of Rs 1.7 crore to enable Vamanjoor church, school and college goers as well as residents of nearby areas, to cross the road safely. In this regard, the NHAI regional office in Bengaluru has officially sent a letter to Dilip Buildcon, the contractor executing the four-laning work, the MP said.The contractor has been directed to submit a detailed cost estimate and design drawings for issuing the final change of scope (COS) order for the construction of the service road and foot overbridge, and to immediately begin work at the site. Once the technical drawings are reviewed, construction work at the site will be expedited. This will provide a permanent solution to the long-standing traffic problems faced by motorists and the public in the area, Capt Chowta said.Following complaints from local residents that accidents were occurring at Bannadka due to the absence of a service road, Capt Brijesh Chowta, along with MLA Umanath Kotian, had recently inspected the site. He had also written to Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, requesting necessary steps for the construction of the service road. Acting on the MP’s direction, the authority had instructed the implementing agency to immediately submit a detailed project report.
