Mangaluru: Blaming Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament (MP) Nalin Kumar Kateel for the delay in Pumpwell flyover work and accused him of playing politics with an eye on next Lok Sabha elections, former MLA of Mangaluru South constituency, J R Lobo, said that the MP did not have knowledge on the working on the National Highway Authority of Indian (NHAI).

Addressing the press meet here on July 30th, he said, “The MP lacks information about the works of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), especially of the flyover work that is going on at Pumpwell. Without any knowledge, he is blaming Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) for delay of work stating that MCC wanted to change the design. I, as the former MLA, or the MLA who was elected before me or MCC never intervened the work of Pumpwell flyover work.”

“I challenge the MP for prove our intervention. Only the MP has complete hold on NHAI projects as it is controlled by the central government. But Nalin is trying to escape from his responsibilities by giving false information,” he challenged.

“Nalin has completely failed to understand the difficulties of people of Mangaluru and never bothered about the slow phase flyover work. He has failed to put pressure on NHAI to complete the construction works between Kottara to Thokkottu. In other cities, officials and contractors complete the flyover works within one year. But it is eighth year for Pumpwell flyover. Still it is in under construction. I cannot understand why the central government and MP of Dakshina Kannada are neglecting Mangaluru? Why they are not finding a solution for difficulties of Mangaluru people?” he asked.

“I read news which said MP Nalin gave a memorandum to Nithin Gadkari, minister of road transport and highways demanding more funds for the completion of Pumpwell flyover. I am surprised why he sat silent for the past four years? Why he didn’t give the memorandum before this? It clearly shows he is doing this for publicity keeping in mind the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

People still do not know what is going on at Nanthoor. NHAI too is unsure whether Nanthoor needs a flyover or a underpass. Day by day the difficulties of people are increasing at this junction,” he pointed out.

“To put pressure on the central government and local MP, we Congress committees of Mangaluru South and North, along with people of Mangaluru, will hold a protest rally on August 1 at 10 am at Pumpwell Junction. Our demand is that the work should be finished as soon as possible,” he informed.