‘Toll gate will be closed if not assured in writing within 10 days’
MP Nalin Kumar warns Navayuga Company
Mangaluru, June 21: Lok Sabha Member Nalin Kumar Kateel warned the company, which is carrying out the Pumpwell-Thokkottu flyover construction on National Highway 66, of closing the toll gate with the help of general public if the company failed to assure in writing within 10 days about completion of the work.
Addressing the officers of National Highway Authority of India and engineers and representatives of the company at his office here on Thursday, the MP said that though the construction work of the two flyovers was started a few years back, it was not completed. When it rained heavily, the traffic movement would be blocked on the road. People would take elected representatives to task. In the earlier meeting, the officers and engineers had promised of completing Thokkottu flyover work by May and Pumpwell flyover work by December. But as per the present situation, the work would not complete at that time. So, they should give in writing within 10 days on when they will going to complete the work. Otherwise, they would close the toll gate, he warned Navayuga company representative.
“I wanted to inaugurate the highway work from the Prime Minister by next January. But you are telling that you will complete the work in next June. But we are not in a position to wait till that time. Already, Rs 1.20 crore penalty was imposed on the delayed work. But you have not learned the lesson from it. Let your company managing director come to Mangaluru and hold a meeting with me and the deputy commissioner”, he said.
Fill pot-holes
Before the onset of rainy season, the potholes on the national highway should have been filled and silt should have been removed from the drainages, dangerous trees should have been chopped. As the authorities did not take up those works, Mangaluru city was marooned in the recent rain. Though they were aware of the rain in coastal region, they have neglected to take precautionary measures. So, potholes on national highways should be filled immediately, he directed.
To solve the problem in the Padeel Under-pass, both NHAI officers and the City Corporation officers should jointly inspect the place and take steps. As there is an allegation that unscientific work is the main reason for accidents near Nanturu circle, the officers should take it seriously and solve the problem as a priority, he said.
In spite of spending Rs 8 crore for maintaining Surathkal-Bantwal national highway, the pot-holes were still there. Officers should take steps to solve the problems in Ramalkatte in Tumbe, BC Road, Nantur, Padeel, Pumpwell and Thokkottu junctions, he said.
Tender is called for BC Road- Punjalkatte road development and work would be started after rainy season. Tender would be called for Rs 33 crore Gurupura new bridge construction after rainy season, NHAI officials said.
MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Zilla Panchayat vice president Kasturi Panja, corporators Premananda Shetty, Sudheer Shetty Kannur, Vijaykumar and others were present at the meeting.
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US Consulate in Dubai reportedly attacked
Dubai: Smoke was seen rising from an area near the United States Consulate in Dubai, according to witness accounts cited by Reuters.
There was no immediate official confirmation on the extent of damage or whether there were any casualties in the incident.
Earlier, the US embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, was also attacked. Authorities reported damage to the premises, but no casualties were recorded.
The developments come amid heightened tensions in the region, with Iran continuing to target US interests in the Middle East following deadly attacks launched on Saturday by Israel and the United States.
Near US embassy in Dubai pic.twitter.com/z5VTZNVxNO
— Sahil Shah (@thesahilsshah) March 3, 2026
