BELAGAVI
Truckers from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and neighbouring region have appealed to the Karwar Deputy Commissioner to permit movement of heavy and multi-axle vehicles to Goa and Karnataka via Anmod.
Citing huge inconvenience faced and stating that the reconstruction of the Ramnagar-Anmod section of the NH748 (NH4A) is likely to begin only after monsoon, the transporters have also warned of staging protests.
The work on the 52 km Khanapur-Anmod stretch via Londa had come to halt for over three years due to the plea filed by the environmentalists.
However, after the stay was vacated in March 21, the former contractor had expressed his inability to continue the work due to heavy losses incurred.
It took another year for the NHAI to finalise the new contractor and award the work which caused further delay.
The new contractor VM Matere Infrastructure (India) Pvt Ltd began work from Khanapur to Ramnagar on November 21 last year and the stretch is likely to be ready only in May this year. “The work on the Ramnagar-Anmod stretch is likely to commence only after rainy season,” the supervisor said.
Citing the delay and losses incurred due to increased distance to commute via Karwar, which has also increased the operating cost and damage to the vehicles, truck owners who have huge bank loans and are going in loss due to increased inadvertent costs have urged Karwar district collector to revoke the ban imposed on the movement of heavy vehicles including multi-axle trucks.
The authorities have closed the stretch for over four years due to which we are incurring huge inconvenience.
“We appeal to authorities to open the entry to Karnataka and Goa via Anmod till the reconstruction work restarts,” a leading transporter said.
