Pumpwell flyover work to be completed by Jan end

• MP inspects work progress

Pumpwell: The Pumpwell flyover construction work is mostly done and is expected to be completed by January end. Besides, traffic movement will be started at Thokottu over bridge by December end, informed MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

He spoke with the media after inspecting the flyover work progress and said that the failure of the state government to acquire land within the prescribed time led to the delay in the construction of the flyover, he alleged.

The delay is shifting the massive Kalasha from Mahaveera circle, the decision to build the service bus stand next to the highway and many other reasons led to the delay in the work which began in 2010 and still remains to be finished. Though the national highway planning as done 15 years ago, in the backdrop of the creation of Pumpwell bus stand, there was a demand that the planning of the highway needs to be changed. In the meantime, the contracting company underwent a financial loss because of which the work was delayed. However, the work caught pace in 2016 and hence it has now reached the final phase, he said.

The than deputy commissioner, minister and in-charge minister are responsible for the delay at Pumpwell. They failed to clear the site. Though it has been 15years since the compensation has been given at B C Road, the 10 buildings have not yet been cleared. Though the three houses in the middle of the service road at Thokottu have been given compensation, they have not yet been cleared. If th officials come forward to clear the houses, they receive threat call, he alleged.

Who will answer for the delay?

When there was Congress government in the state and in the centre, the work on 30 kms stretch from B C Road to Mukka took 13 years. It did not include Baikampady Bridge. It was then built during my term through Navayuga. The work on Panemangaluru-Nethravati Bridge took 14 years. When Yeddiyurappa was the chief minister he gave Rs 300 crore grant to the corporation. Then concrete roads were created within the corporation limits utilizing these funds. Though 11 years have passed, the corporation has yet failed to construct footpaths. But for all these delays they themselves are not giving any explanation. I do not want to play politics in development and therefore I have maintained silence so far, he said.