Karnataka

Underpass to be ready by March: official

Davangere: Work on the underpass at the level crossing on Bangalore-Pune National Highway (NH4) near Davangere Cotton Mills will be completed by March 2009, said Divisional General Manager of Railways (Constructions) Southern Railway Chalapathy Rao.

The Railways had taken up works on the reconstruction of the underpass at a cost of Rs. 6 crore on August 25, 2007. As per the plan, it was supposed to be completed by July 25, 2008. Traffic was diverted due to which people have to take a circuitous route to reach NH4 and this means travelling five kilometres extra to reach the highway.

Mr Rao who had come to Davangere at the behest of Mr. Siddeshwar, told presspersons that owing to procedural wrangles the works were held up for some time and the Commissioner of Railway safety had approved the works and the contractor had been asked to complete the works by end of March. Mr. Siddeshwar held discussions with Mr. Rao on the issue and suggested that the underpass should be at least 13 meters in . Mr. Rao said he would have to go by the original drawing and if he were to make changes again, then he would have to send a proposal to higher higher authorities. This might lead to further delay in completion of underpass work, he said.

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