Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, May 30: Vehicular traffic officially began on the elevated road at Mani on Thursday, marking a significant step forward in the B C Road–Addahole four-lane concrete highway project and providing long-awaited relief to commuters facing congestion on service routes.

The elevated stretch, long awaited by local residents, is expected to ease the burden on the narrow and incomplete service roads in the area. The opening follows recent intervention by Dakshina Kannada MP K Brijesh Chowta, who held meetings with officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the project’s executing contractors.

Acting upon the MP’s directive, the NHAI granted permission for the use of elevated flyovers at both Mani and Uppinangady. “These elevated stretches will help regulate traffic and accelerate remaining construction,” an NHAI official stated.

While flyovers at Panemangalore and Melkar were opened months ago, delays in allowing vehicular flow on the Mani flyover had attracted widespread public criticism. The condition of the service road—still undergoing concrete works—only compounded travel woes.

Now, with the elevated road at Mani operational, vehicles heading towards Uppinangady can bypass the congested service lanes entirely. The service road is now primarily designated for traffic bound towards Puttur, reducing overall strain.

However, the concrete work on the service road leading towards Kalladka remains incomplete. Officials hinted that the current easing of traffic on the elevated road may help accelerate progress. Once completed, this road is also expected to resolve issues like water stagnation at the underpass.

To further streamline traffic, MP Chowta has directed that one-way traffic be implemented on the Kalladka flyover from June 2. This measure is aimed at decongesting the service roads further and enabling contractors to resume pending works more efficiently.

In Uppinangady, traffic has also been permitted on the elevated road. Though permanent concrete barriers have not yet been installed, temporary plastic drums have been placed to alert drivers and ensure safety.

With the commencement of traffic on both stretches, authorities expect smoother vehicular flow and improved commuter convenience in the coming days.