Mangaluru :  MP Nalin Kumar inspected NH 66 from Talapdy to Surathkal on Thusday and warned of staging a protest by opening the Talapady Toll Gate for free traffic, if the contract-availing company does not provide an endorsement to the Road Transport Ministry in the form of an affidavit, declaring the completion date of both the flyovers.

“It was resolved during the last meeting with the Navayug company authority and NHAI officials that the company would provide an endorsement and the work schedule before July 15. If the work is not completed on the declared date, legal action will be inevitable,” the MP said.

The MP expressed his displeasure over the procrastination of the flyover works and the lackadaisical approach by the company regarding the construction and maintenance of service roads on the Mangaluru-Talapady stretch.

The officials of Navayug Constructions Pvt Ltd have assured of completing the work on Thokkottu flyover by the end of December 2018, and that of the Pumpwell flyover by January end next year.

Conducting a review of the service roads at Talapady, Thokkottu junctions and Pumpwell circle on Thursday, the MP stated that the four-lane work of Talapady – Kundapur is being carried out for the last eight years. “Inordinate delay in the work has caused a lot of inconvenience to the public. The issue was raised during two meetings convened by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and a penalty of Rs 1.5 crore has been imposed on Navayug constructions for the delay in work. Also, the work on the service road and stormwater drains, carried out by the Navayug company, has been unscientific.”

The MP directed the company to take up the works on the repair of the service road and clearing of drains at Nanthoor, Thokkottu, Pumpwell and Talapady highways on a war footing so that no problem is caused in case of rain. He asked the concerned authorities to widen the service road if required. “Proper steps should be taken to shift the electric poles,” he said and added that he would conduct a regular review of the work henceforth.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that vehicles bearing KA19 registration will be allowed toll-free movement at the Hejamadi toll gate. Free movement will also be facilitated for vehicles bearing the registration numbers prefixed with KA20, at Mukka toll gate. He said he has also directed the concerned to allow toll-free movement for vehicles of KA19 registration at the Talapady toll gate, till the work on Thokkottu bridge is completed.

During the road review, the MP and elected members took the Navayug company representative Shankar to task for misinformation about the progress of the service road at Pumpwell circle.

NHAI official Ajith was present.