Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 28: "Detailed project report of the four-lane ring road meant to reduce pressure on highways in Dakshina Kannada district with an outlay amounting to Rs 2,800 crore is in final stages. The ring road will move from Mulky to Thokkottu Junction via Kinnigoli, Kaikamba, Polali, B C Road and Mudipu. It is planned to reduce load on main roads in the district," said MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Kateel obtained details of this project from officials of National Highways Authority of India and representatives of the consulting firm at his office on Wednesday June 27. The proposed project is planned to be executed in three phases. Rajeev, representative of Stup Consultants, which is the consulting firm for the project, stated in the first phase, the road which will begin Padupanambur near Mulky will reach Kateel via Kinnigoli. At Kinnigoli, a 1.5 km long over-bridge may have to be laid. The road will take a right turn at Moorukaveri Junction. Bridge might be needed at Kateel and flyover at Bajpe. The road will reach Kaikamba where an over-bridge of national highway 169 will be present, he explained.

In the second phase, the road which starts from Addur, will reach B C Road new bridge. But on the way, an underpass will be required at the spot where this road crosses national highway 264, he stated. The third phase of the road will be from Melkar to Mudipu. The road can then reach Kotekar or Thokkottu, he stated. He said that although the total length of the proposed road would be 91 km, it would be reduced by using highways and kutcha roads, as a result of which net road to be developed would be about 74 km. He added that underpasses or over-bridges would be built only when it is extremely necessary considering density of population, commercial establishments, and vehicles. It is planned to minimize land acquisitions for this road, he stated.

At the same time, he said that the current road will have to be developed properly as at present it does not conform to the road standards set for the same. The road will be so laid as to facilitate easy access to the international airport in the city. As this road will pass in front of the airport, vehicular density on the current road might get reduced, he predicted.

MLAs, Rajesh Naik Ulipady Guthu and Umanath Kotian were present.