Twin-city roads get facelift

Twin-city roads get facelift
MANU AIYAPPA - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

18 Jan, 2007 0105hrs IST

HUBLI: The final phase of the ambitious Rs 30-crore road development programme has been initiated in the twin cities under which widening and recarpeting of roads is on full swing at various places.

The road to Sirur Park from Old PB Road and the road leading atop Nrupatunga Hill have already been widened and recarpeted, much to the joy of residents.

In fact, the road network here has seen unprecedented improvements over the past one year after the HDMC authorities accorded top priority to road development including footpaths and drains.

Under the Rs 30-crore project, which started last year, work orders were issued to contractors for resurfacing of roads and the work was divided into four phases.While the work on the first package was allotted to a Kozhikode-based company, it got stuck in a legal battle.Work under second, third and four packages were initiated barring a few roads, which are being now taken up.

Under the scheme, priority will be given to such paths which will help provide access to bus routes. Similarly, those in relatively better condition were selected for patchwork to repair potholes and depressions, officials said.

According to officials, metalling and tarring has been completed on about 100-km stretch that includes development of drainage and footpath. Another 70 km is yet to be completed.

"Though the project was long conceived, the work was delayed because of relentless monsoon and the long process for government ratification", officials explained.

Meanwhile, revenue minister Jagadish Shettar informed that the Union ministry of transport (surface) has approved a Rs 7-crore proposal to asphalt 22-km stretch between Keshwapur and Hebsur on Hubli-Bijapur highway.

He said that plans were afoot to construct eight overbridges on the 50-km NH at a cost of Rs 10.12 crore of which construction work on four bridges was nearing completion.