Mangaluru, (The Hindu): Civil engineering expert from the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, at Surathkal, on Friday inspected under-construction flyovers at Kundapur and Udupi towns, part of National Highway 66 four-laning, on the request of the Assistant Commissioner, Kundapur.

George Varghese, Head of the Department, Department of Civil Engineering, NITK, inspected under-construction flyovers at Shastri Circle in Kundapur, Karavali Junction in Udupi and a stretch of the road at Padubidri, to offer an expert opinion to the administration as to the time required to complete the works.

Following the inordinate delay in the completion of the work on flyovers by concessionaire Navayuga Udupi Tollway Pvt. Ltd., Kundapur Assistant Commissioner, T. Bhoobalan, invoked his magisterial powers under Section 133 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and issued a show-cause notice to the company. He had asked it to show cause why an order under Section 133 should not be passed [removal of nuisance], directing the company to complete the work immediately.

The Assistant Commissioner’s action followed frequent complaints from the general public about severe inconvenience being caused to road users as well as the general public at Shastri Circle in Kundapur, Karavali Junction in Udupi and Padubidri town. While work was progressing at a slow pace in Udupi, it had come to a standstill at Kundapur.

After a Navayuga representative appeared before the Assistant Commissioner on June 6 and submitted technical details seeking more time to complete the works, Mr. Bhoobalan wanted it to be cross-verified.

Summons issued
Accordingly, he issued a summons under Section 139 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to the Head of Department, Department of Civil Engineering, NITK, to appear before him to assist in local investigation on June 22. The Section empowers a magistrate to direct local investigation and examine an expert during proceedings emanating out of Section 133.

The Assistant Commissioner told The Hindu that the expert would give his report in a week about the time required for completion of work. He has posted the case to July 6, Mr. Bhoobalan said.