The concretisation of Bengaluru-Mangaluru highway at Shiradi Ghat, the Western Ghats, is moving at a brisk pace, and at this rate, the road may be opened for traffic well before the deadline, according to the contractor.
The second phase of the works has been taken up at a cost of Rs 74 crore between 250.62 km and 263 km (12.38 km). The road was closed for traffic on January 12.
After the vehicular traffic was banned, several questions were raised in the social media, related to the execution of works. The DH, during a reality check, found out that the works were progressing briskly.
According to the officials, a special layer of Geotextiles is being used to prevent the concrete mixture getting softened with mud. A GSB (Granular Sub Base) is laid later, topping with Laying of Dry Lean Concrete (DLC). The final stage of concretisation is Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC). Every day, around 700 mts of PQC works are being done with a hi-tech machine procured from Germany. The total height of the concrete road will be 600 mm.
National Highways Authority of India Engineer Raghavan told DH, as the Shiradi Ghat receive rain for more than six months a year, special technology is being used for the road. A cross drainage system is being adopted for every 25 metres and the stretch will have 74 drains. The widening of the road is also being done.
Speaking to DH, Engineer Shraffudin of Ocean Constructions Company, said, the works have been expedited and is expected to be completed before August 1-deadline. However, the loss due to the closure of the Shiradi Ghat is said to be around Rs 50 crore per day.