BELAGAVI
After an arduous wait, the repair of the Belagavi-Goa road via Chorla has commenced with the NHAI taking up the repairs of the heavily dilapidated stretches of the road on the Karnataka side.
Commuters and traders from Belagavi have expressed satisfaction over the development.
It may be recalled that the two-laning of the Peeranwadi-Sanquelim road which was inaugurated amid much fanfare by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in February last year had been held up due to environmental and forest clearances.
While the Goa side of the road is in excellent condition, the stretches between Kinaye and Chorla were heavily damaged, much to the inconvenience of commuters from both States. This had caused huge unrest and pleas and petitions were being made to authorities and elected representatives.
After uncertainty about the implementation of the two-laning, NHAI authorities had taken a special sanction for repairs of the damaged stretches. Accordingly, the work was to start in last week of February. However, the work commenced last week while the asphalting of the damaged stretches has also commenced.
"We have identified the damaged stretches. Potholes are being filled and the heavily damaged stretches are being rebuilt on the 43-km stretch between Jamboti and Chorla. I have personally inspected the route and have directed the contractor to begin the repairs. Our priority is to make the road motorable and safe for commuters,” Bhuvanesh Kumar, Project Director at NHAI said.
GR Engineers are carrying out the repairs which are being thoroughly inspected.
“We are taking utmost care to see that quality is maintained. While the NHAI authorities are inspecting the bitumen quality, a third party inspection is also being done,” engineer Laxmi Venkatesh who is supervising the repairs said.
When asked whether Rs 2 crore would be sufficient for the 43-km stretch, he said that they would spend more and demand the same from the NHAI.
“We want to maintain the quality, hence we will spend more if required and fight for the additional budget,” Venkatesh said.
The Belagavi market, which includes garment showrooms, hotels restaurants and the vegetable market, is largely dependent on Goan customers. The traders were complaining about the adverse impact of the bad road on the business.
Traders and showroom owners from Belagavi have now expressed satisfaction with the road work being finally taken up by the NHAI.
Commuters and traders from Belagavi have expressed satisfaction over the development.
It may be recalled that the two-laning of the Peeranwadi-Sanquelim road which was inaugurated amid much fanfare by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in February last year had been held up due to environmental and forest clearances.
While the Goa side of the road is in excellent condition, the stretches between Kinaye and Chorla were heavily damaged, much to the inconvenience of commuters from both States. This had caused huge unrest and pleas and petitions were being made to authorities and elected representatives.
After uncertainty about the implementation of the two-laning, NHAI authorities had taken a special sanction for repairs of the damaged stretches. Accordingly, the work was to start in last week of February. However, the work commenced last week while the asphalting of the damaged stretches has also commenced.
"We have identified the damaged stretches. Potholes are being filled and the heavily damaged stretches are being rebuilt on the 43-km stretch between Jamboti and Chorla. I have personally inspected the route and have directed the contractor to begin the repairs. Our priority is to make the road motorable and safe for commuters,” Bhuvanesh Kumar, Project Director at NHAI said.
GR Engineers are carrying out the repairs which are being thoroughly inspected.
“We are taking utmost care to see that quality is maintained. While the NHAI authorities are inspecting the bitumen quality, a third party inspection is also being done,” engineer Laxmi Venkatesh who is supervising the repairs said.
When asked whether Rs 2 crore would be sufficient for the 43-km stretch, he said that they would spend more and demand the same from the NHAI.
“We want to maintain the quality, hence we will spend more if required and fight for the additional budget,” Venkatesh said.
The Belagavi market, which includes garment showrooms, hotels restaurants and the vegetable market, is largely dependent on Goan customers. The traders were complaining about the adverse impact of the bad road on the business.
Traders and showroom owners from Belagavi have now expressed satisfaction with the road work being finally taken up by the NHAI.
