K?taka Revenue Minister Cites "Unscientific" NHAI Work for NH 66 Landslide

19 Jul 2024 CW Team

He recalled his visit to the area the previous year during heavy rainfall, noting that the construction of national highways was not carried out with scientific precision. Additionally, he criticised the Seabird Naval base?s canals as being poorly organised. He had previously warned about the risk of landslides, but these warnings were ignored by NHAI. This was stated by him in response to queries in the assembly regarding the incident.

Byre Gowda also indicated that NHAI officials often responded by citing their central office in Delhi and promising to send a letter. However, he assured that the government is taking the incident seriously and that discussions with officials would be scheduled. He also mentioned that a letter would be sent through the chief secretary and that all necessary measures would be implemented to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Speaker U T Khader proposed filing cases against central agencies, but Byre Gowda noted that the state was not inclined to engage in a conflict.

Byre Gowda described the location of the national highway as being situated between a river and a hill, where some unauthorized small canteens had been established along the roadside. The landslide occurred when tanker drivers transporting cooking gas (LPG) had stopped their vehicles for tea. The landslide engulfed the tankers and canteens, with reports suggesting that seven people, including the tanker drivers, might have lost their lives.

The rescue operation is currently in progress, with teams from the fire brigade and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at the scene.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, asserted that the landslide at Shrirur was caused by ?unscientific? projects carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Seabird Naval base. He mentioned that the chief of NHAI would be summoned to address the deficiencies in the projects. He recalled his visit to the area the previous year during heavy rainfall, noting that the construction of national highways was not carried out with scientific precision. Additionally, he criticised the Seabird Naval base?s canals as being poorly organised. He had previously warned about the risk of landslides, but these warnings were ignored by NHAI. This was stated by him in response to queries in the assembly regarding the incident. Byre Gowda also indicated that NHAI officials often responded by citing their central office in Delhi and promising to send a letter. However, he assured that the government is taking the incident seriously and that discussions with officials would be scheduled. He also mentioned that a letter would be sent through the chief secretary and that all necessary measures would be implemented to avoid similar incidents in the future. Speaker U T Khader proposed filing cases against central agencies, but Byre Gowda noted that the state was not inclined to engage in a conflict. Byre Gowda described the location of the national highway as being situated between a river and a hill, where some unauthorized small canteens had been established along the roadside. The landslide occurred when tanker drivers transporting cooking gas (LPG) had stopped their vehicles for tea. The landslide engulfed the tankers and canteens, with reports suggesting that seven people, including the tanker drivers, might have lost their lives. The rescue operation is currently in progress, with teams from the fire brigade and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at the scene.

Infrastructure Transport

15 Oct 2025

BMC Gets CRZ Nod For Rs 40 Million Gorai Bridge Rebuild

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has secured Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the reconstruction of the Poisar River bridge in Gorai, located in Mumbai’s western suburbs. However, the proposed demolition of the existing 100-metre bridge has sparked opposition from local residents, who claim it serves as the only direct access route between the Lower and Upper Koliwada areas. The three-decade-old bridge, situated within the CRZ buffer zone, was recently declared structurally unsafe following a civic audit. The BMC has sanctioned its reconstruction at an estimated cost ..

Infrastructure Transport

15 Oct 2025

NHAI Completes Rs 15.9 Billion Four-Lane Stretch On ECR

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the four-laning of the 38 km Puducherry–Poondiyankuppam stretch, ending near Cuddalore, in a development that will cut travel time by up to two hours, according to a report by The New Indian Express. The upgraded section, built at a cost of Rs 15.9 billion under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase I, marks a major milestone in the ongoing East Coast Road (ECR) widening programme. The project promises a smoother, faster drive for motorists travelling towards Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Sirkazhi, and Nagapattinam. With this completion, 22..

Infrastructure Transport

15 Oct 2025

Encroachments Delay Rs 1 Billion Ghatkopar Bridge Project

The construction of a new cable-stayed rail overbridge at Ghatkopar and the widening of the Andheri–Ghatkopar Link Road (AGLR) have been delayed due to the presence of nearly 250 encroached structures on both sides of the road. In response, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has directed officials to carry out a structural audit of the existing bridge over the railway line and enforce temporary restrictions on heavy vehicles to ensure public safety. The bridge, which starts at the Golibar Road junction near LBS Marg and extends up to the Eastern Express Highway (EEH), serves as a critic..