BELAGAVI
Repairs and reconstruction on the Belagavi-Goa road (SH748A) via Chorla were halted for a day on Sunday due to certain confusion among the forest and PWD authorities.
The forest officials had reportedly asked the contractor to stop the work on the road as a certain section near Chorla village falls entirely under the forest department.
After receiving the news, Khanapur MLA Vitthal Halgekar rushed to the spot on Monday and called the senior forest officials to the site. The issue was later clarified, following which the contractor resumed the work.
“Some jurisdictional issues caused the temporary halt by the Khanapur forest department. However, after discussion and verification of facts, I have directed the contractor to restart the work and urged forest authorities to cooperate with the PWD for the completion of repairs and reconstruction,” MLA Halgekar said.
Meanwhile, repairs of potholes and other work are in full swing, and the contractor expects to complete them before the onset of the monsoon.
The contractor has been given 11 months for the completion of the repairs and reconstruction.
The road repairs began on February 24, and the 43.35 km Karnataka section of the road is being repaired and reconstructed at an estimated cost of Rs 59 crore.
“The huge potholes and long dilapidated stretches are being repaired first to make the road motorable. Later, the entire 43.35 km will be reasphalted to ensure the road becomes suitable for commuting,” an official said.
