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Construct retaining wall before roadwork, Puttur MLA tells NHAI

Ashok Kumar Rai cites safety concerns at Uppinangady-Subrahmanya crossroad; also asks NHAI to reserve space for proposed four-lane road extension at Uppinangady junction

Construct retaining wall before roadwork, Puttur MLA tells NHAI
The Times of India

Mangaluru: Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai Tuesday asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to ensure that the retaining wall at the Uppinangady-Subrahmanya crossroad is constructed in a scientific manner, citing safety concerns.

Rai, who visited the spot, told reporters that NHAI is constructing a service road at the crossroad leading from Uppinangady to Subrahmanya.

“Locals are saying that the work is not being done properly, pointing at a hollow space [an unsupported edge] right underneath the road. In the future, when heavy vehicles, school buses, and other traffic pass on the road, there’s a high risk of vehicles overturning or the road collapsing. Even now, looking at it, it appears tilted to one side,” Rai said.

They should have built a retaining wall from the bottom up before laying the road, he said.

“I am not sure if that was included in their original scope, but I have already spoken to the NHAI project director. I told them to send their engineers, construct a retaining wall first, and then proceed with the road construction. I have requested them to complete this work as quickly as possible,” said Rai after speaking to the NHAI official.

₹3 crore for four-lane road

Referring to another issue at the Uppinangady junction, Rai said the govt has sanctioned Rs 3 crore for a four-lane road stretch from the bridge to the Uppinangady junction. However, NHAI is currently constructing a narrow service connection there, he said.

“I instructed them that proper space must be reserved for the upcoming four-lane extension so that traffic flow isn’t bottlenecked in the future. I asked the officials to consider this immediately, and they assured us they will address it and fix the issue,” he added.

Source: The Times of India