Four-laning of NH 7 at Adilabad to be delayed

ADILABAD: Completion of four laning works on the 100 km plus stretch of NH 7 passing through Adilabad district will be delayed by four to six months going by the state of progress of the two packages.

According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), road widening works within these packages located between the AP-Maharashtra border at Penganga river and Kadthal village in Nirmal mandal are likely to be completed by March next year.

While the first of the packages of works that starts at Penganga and ends 55 km away at Islamnagar in Ichoda mandal was slated for October 2009 completion, the other package spanning between Islamnagar and Kadthal got under way late.

The continuing delay caused by the Forest Department in handing over land to the concessionaire of the first package is said to be the main reason for the delay.

Lack of cooperation

The forest land acquired by NHAI for the four lane works by remitting a compensation of Rs. 15 crore should have been handed over in October last year.

“It is a serious matter considering one wing of the government does not cooperate with the other,” observes an official while referring to the delay.

The Forest Department has still to hand over about four km land within the first package which is the present cause of concern. This extent could be handed over by the end of this month, according to information.

As regards the current pace of progress, NHAI Project Director in Adilabad K. Sreenivasulu says, the works are in full swing.

“If everything goes well, it will be completed by March next year.”

“The bridge across the mighty Penganga river on the border will be opened to traffic on July 25. The bridge at the bypass road near Chanda will be completed by the end of the month.

Leaving aside the two railway overbridges, all other works on the 12 km.-long Adilabad bypass road will be completed by the end of September”, reveals Luv Kumar project manager of Soma Enterprises, the concessionaire of the first package of four laning works.

The cutting of the Seethagondi ghat section is perhaps one of the most difficult tasks. Nevertheless, it seems to turn into one of the most picturesque spots in the next few weeks, once the works are completed.