Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, June 8: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the construction of free left turns at three corners of the congested Nanthoor Junction in Mangaluru, aiming to alleviate long-standing traffic snarls in the area.
The work was finalised on Saturday, June 7, marking a significant development at the junction where three major roads converge — the Kochi-Panvel National Highway 66, Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway 75, and the Mangaluru-Mercara Trunk Road (from Kadri). One corner of the junction, leading from Kadri Mallikatte towards Surathkal, already featured a free left turn.
Amid prolonged delays in the commencement of the proposed grade separator project at Nanthoor, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta had urged the NHAI to implement interim traffic-easing measures. Responding to this request, the NHAI took advantage of a break in the monsoon rains over the past week to begin earthwork and successfully completed the free left turns by Saturday evening.
With the new traffic provision in place, vehicles travelling from Surathkal on NH 66 can now seamlessly turn left towards the B C Road bypass (NH 75). Similarly, motorists coming from B C Road can head left towards Pumpwell (NH 66), and those approaching from Pumpwell can take the left turn towards Kadri Mallikatte.
The NHAI, through its contractor M/s Mugrodi Constructions, has laid a bitumen concrete surface on all newly created free-left turn paths. Authorities expect the improvement to significantly reduce congestion, particularly during peak morning and evening hours.
Drainage and service road preparations underway
In parallel, the NHAI has commenced drainage works along NH 66 and NH 75 as a preparatory step towards the larger grade separator project. According to an official, shoulder drain construction can continue through the rainy season and is expected to be completed by its end.
Once drainage works are finalised, the authority plans to build service roads to divert traffic from the main carriageways. This will facilitate safe earth excavation for the eventual construction of the grade separator, the official added.
The latest upgrades mark a proactive step by the NHAI and local authorities to address one of Mangaluru’s most persistent traffic bottlenecks, while long-term infrastructure work remains pending.