Centre considers proposal to multilane Mangalore, Hassan road

Mangalore, Jun 3 (UNI) Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways K H Muniyappa had said the Centre was actively considering the Karnataka government's proposal of four- laning the road between Mangalore and Hassan.

Addressing a press conference here today, he called for a feasibility report in this regard and said the Centre would consider it after going through the report.

The proposal included four-laning of Shiradi Ghat, he said, adding the four-laning of Hassan and Mangalore would also enable four-lane connectivity between Mangalore and Chennai port.

He said the Ministry had also sought a feasibility report on the proposal for four-laning of NH 17 from Kundapura in Udupi district to the state border at Goa. Consultation work would begin on the project after studying the feasibility report, he added.

Mr Muniyappa said that the 32 km stretch of Shiradi Ghat, which had been closed for upgradation since November, had been completed at a cost of Rs 33.50 crore.

He said heavy movement of iron ore laden truck on the Ghat was the main reason for the bad condition of the road. The concrete road now could withstand the traffic pressure for at least five years. It has now the responsibility of the state government to regulate the movement of iron ore laden trucks to ensure that the roads would not suffer undue damage, he said.

He refuted the allegations stating that the Centre was showing 'stepmotherly' attitude towards Karnataka.

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