Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 23: Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta said the Central government has approved a Rs 414.16 crore project for the construction of an elevated flyover and service roads from Baikampady to KIOCL Junction, and that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already initiated the tender process.
The project aims to improve direct connectivity to the New Mangalore Port and includes development of a 3.075-km-long road stretch. As part of the project, a modern six-lane elevated flyover of 1.520 km length will be constructed. The project will be implemented under the EPC model.
In addition, service roads with a total length of 5.825 km will be built on both sides of the highway. Brijesh Chowta said the New Mangalore Port Authority will provide the required additional land and financial support for the successful implementation of the project.
He stated that this stretch on National Highway 66 serves as a crucial corridor for direct connectivity to the New Mangalore Port and for the transportation of export and import cargo. The new project will separate highway traffic from local vehicular movement, thereby ensuring smoother traffic flow and enhanced road safety.
The MP said the road development project in the Baikampady industrial area and KIOCL zone will become a major catalyst for the industrial and economic growth of the district. Besides improving overall road connectivity in the coastal region, the project will help meet future traffic demands and provide long-term infrastructure benefits.
Brijesh Chowta expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of the district to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari, union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, and the New Mangalore Port Authority for approving the upgradation of what he described as an economic lifeline for Dakshina Kannada and the coastal region.
He further said the Central government remains committed to ensuring highway safety and smooth traffic movement in Dakshina Kannada district. Earlier, the NMPT stretch of the highway was under the jurisdiction of National Highways Logistics Management Limited, and the absence of a dedicated agency along with shortage of funds had created technical challenges for highway development.
He said continuous efforts were made to resolve all hurdles, and the port-area road was successfully transferred entirely to the National Highways Authority of India. As part of the ongoing infrastructure push, an underpass project worth Rs 11.63 crore near Baikampady and Kuloor Junction on NH-66 has already been approved and the process is underway.
With the latest approval for the Rs 414.16 crore elevated flyover and service road project, the highway corridor in the port region will be upgraded to modern standards, he added.
According to the MP, the development corridor will not only facilitate smoother movement of cargo vehicles connected to the New Mangalore Port but will also provide modern and long-term infrastructure facilities for the daily commute and safety of local residents.