The flyover near Kundapura’s Shastri Circle, which took over a decade to be built, was finally opened for traffic trial on April 25.
The flyover still has a few works such as painting, electric poles and lamp installations pending.
The flyover which started construction in 2010, was actually not planned at the spot. The then MP, Jayaprakash Hegde, held talks with ministers and officials in Delhi and got it approved.
After the approval, many design changes were made, including the Basrur Moorkai underpass, leading to the delay in the completion of the flyover.
Later, the construction company Navayug faced financial problems.
The company was also contracted to construct the Pumpwel flyover in Mangaluru and the delay in finishing both the flyovers lead to loss of face for the company.
The delay also led to the creation of the Kundapura Heddari Jagrati Horata Samiti (Kundapura Highway Awareness and Agitation Committee). This pressure group was partially successful in bringing the flyover problem to the notice of many government officers and MPs.
