HASSAN: Works taken up by the Public Works Department (PWD), Hassan division, in view of the Mahamastakabhisheka are languishing as they are yet to get administrative sanction. However, most of the works taken up in the first phase have been completed, Chidanand, Superintending Engineer, PWD, Hassan division, has said.

Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, he said the Government sanctioned Rs. 24.69 crores to take up 32 works. Of the amount, Rs. 13.91 crores has been released while Rs. 15.44 crores is needed to settle the bills, he said.

Asked about the difference in the estimated and actual costs, Mr. Chidanand clarified that the cost of a few works were worked out roughly on the basis of the estimates prepared during the previous Mahamastakabhisheka.

But with change in plans, the cost of the works escalated, he added.

Though the estimated cost of the scaffolding on Vindyagiri for the anointing ceremony was Rs. 2 crores, it worked out to Rs. 5.5 crores as it was decided to further strengthen the structure in view of the change in the seismic zone in recent years, he said. Similar was the case with the construction of helipads, tubular railing and fencing around the hill. After the terrorist attack on the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, the entire security plan was changed, he said.

The work on the construction of inspection bungalows at Belur, Arsikere and Channarayapatna and widening of roads in Belur and Halebeed, which were taken up in the second phase, are progressing at a slow pace owing to the delay in according administrative sanction, he said.

Though it was earlier decided to drop the idea of constructing a VVIP guesthouse at Shravanabelagola, plans have changed now and there may be a possibility of taking up work again, he added.

When his reaction was sought to the allegations made by people of five villages in and around Shravanabelagola on the delay in completing roadwork and underground drainages, he said the works are getting delayed owing to "last-minute pressure."

They will be completed soon at a cost of Rs. 1.70 crore, he added.

Library building

The department is getting Rs. 4.27 crores to complete the remaining works, he said and added that works worth Rs. 22 crores have been completed while the work on the library building is progressing.

The works taken up by the National Highway (NH) Division of Hassan subdivision is also nearing completion, Assistant Executive Engineer M.G. Somashekar said. He said Rs. 4.92 crores has been earmarked to develop NH 48 and Rs. 3.46 crores to improve NH 206. The work on erecting 12 high-mast lamps on NH 48 has been completed, he said and added that Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation is yet to make arrangements to supply power to the high-mast lamps. The division has also erected over 100 caution boards and 10 destination boards and work on improving the circles in Channarayapatna town, Hirisave junction and Shravanabelagola junction are fast progressing. The division has spruced up 10 curves on the highway at a cost of Rs. 1.1 crore, and it is planned to plant saplings on the premises of the temporary bus stand on the outskirts of Channarayapatna, he said.

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