NHAI rules out additional structures on highway

June 5, 2013

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Santosh Sonawane, TNN |

NASHIK: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has made it clear that new work on the stretch can be undertaken only during the operation and maintenance period as the project cost has exceeded its limit.
With freak accidents becoming frequent over the widened Mumbai-Agra national highway passing through the city, both commuters and residents along the highway come up with new demands in respect to the inconveniences faced by them.

At a recent review meeting conducted by district guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal following the death of a youth died in an accident near the Indiranagar underpass, traffic police officials pointed out the necessity of underpasses in the K K Wagh College, B D Kamgar Nagar and Jatra Hotel areas. They also raised demands for facilities such as traffic signals, speed-breakers, cat eye reflectors and signboards to stop accidents in the future.

According to NHAI officials, the project has already exceeded the five per cent additional cost kept reserved for unplanned work done under the change of scope of a particular project. They made it clear that any additional work on the 60-km stretch, which includes a 5.7 km flyover, can only be undertaken during the operation and maintenance period.

The 60 km stretch from Gonde to Pimpalgaon has become “a rollercoaster ride”, with five flyovers from the city – the 5.71 km elevated corridor, the flyovers at Adgaon, Lekha Nagar, Pathardi Phata and Garware point, apart from two others outside the city near Ojhar, said NHAI officials.

Further, underpasses have been built at Indiranagar, Rane Nagar, Phalke Smarak, Vilholi, Raigad Nagar, Vadivarhe, Chinchkhed, Umbarkhed, Saykheda and Ojhar. These projects, along with the additional structures under the change of scope works, leave little chance for any new construction.

Sources from PNG Tollways said that underpasses at Chichkhed, Umbarkhed, Ojhar, Indiranagar, Vadivarhe and Vilholi have been taken up under the change of scope works.

While the issues of Vadi Varhe and Vilholi have been resolved and the Indiranagar underpass already done, Ojhar residents are also demanding a flyover, dissatisfied with twin underpasses. Similarly, residents of Pimpalgaon are also demanding a flyover at Chinchkhed, instead of an underpass. There have been protests at Ojhar and Pimpalgoan to emphasise these demands.

Source_http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com