Although the slow pace of construction work on the elevated road corridor at Kittur Chennamma Circle continues to trouble motorists and the general public, the Hubballi-Dharwad Centre of Indian Concrete Institute (ICI) has expressed reservations over several technical issues that can affect the quality of work being undertaken.

Led by ICI chairman Suresh Kireshur and other engineers, an ICI team visited the construction spot on Monday, inspected the work and observed several technical issues that can affect the quality of work.

In a press release issued on behalf of ICI, the team has observed that steel should not be exposed to rain and wind for over two months as it will lose its strength due to rusting.

However, in the ongoing construction, steel has been left exposed to rain and wind for over two years which is likely to affect the stability of the elevated road, it has said.

The team also found inadequate safety measures for the construction workers employed there. It said that proper barricading has not been done to prevent people or vehicles from entering the construction site.

Netting around the site is too inadequate posing risk to pedestrians who are forced to walk below the elevated road under construction, the team has said.

On behalf ICI, the team has requested the authorities to take immediate measures for the safety of workers and also the general public at Kittur Chennamma Circle which is already witnessing regular traffic congestion and slow movement of vehicles due to the ongoing construction.

The team has in the release also said that it is high time that immediate measures are taken to expedite the work which commenced in 2021 and complete it at the earliest to provide relief to the residents of Hubballi.

The ICI plans to send a detailed observation report to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Minister for Public Works Satish Jarkiholi.