Uppinangady: The package 2 of reconstruction work on Shiradi Ghat stretch is unlikely to begin on January 3 with an order still awaited from the concerned authorities to close the highway for commencement of repair works.
The contractor as well as the engineers of the National Highways division of the Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) have said that they do not have any information on the commencement of the work.
While preparations for concreting 12.38-km of road between Kempu Hole guest house and Adda hole near Gundya at an expense of Rs 63.10 crore and asphalting of 21-km of road between Gulagale and Heggadde at an expense of Rs 22.18 crore are in full swing, an order for the closure of the road from the authorities is awaited for the commencement of the work said Venkateshan, managing director, Sri Venkateshwara Road Construction, Bengaluru, the project contractor.
He further added that the road would be open for traffic within a time span of five months after the work commences.
An official from National Highways division of the PWD said the decision to close the stretch would be taken after eliciting opinion from the deputy commissioners of the respective districts.
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner K G Jagadeesha said that they have asked the National Highways division of the PWD to inform the Dakshina Kannada district administration on closure of the highway for the work.
“The decision on closure of the road would be taken after consulting the local elected representatives,” he added.