Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 11: Member of Parliament Capt Brijesh Chowta stated that a comprehensive review meeting was held with the MLA, NHAI officials, and engineers regarding the ongoing maintenance work on the Surathkal–B C Road stretch, which is currently grappling with multiple infrastructure and safety issues.

"A tender worth Rs 28 crore has been finalised for the project. The 33-km stretch is set for an upgrade, and we have received approval from the Central Government for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR). The DPR will require coordinated efforts among the police department, municipal corporation, and NHAI. It will cover service roads, junction improvements, black spots, and also include a proposed 35-km bypass road, for which an agency has already been appointed,” said MP Chowta.

He further stressed the urgent need to manage roadside parking and to streamline entry and exit points along the highway for smoother traffic movement.

The Padil–BC Road stretch is being maintained using toll collections from the Brahmarakotlu toll plaza, while the Padil–Surathkal stretch is maintained through revenue from the Surathkal toll gate.

An engineer present at the meeting assured that patchwork along the Surathkal–Brahmarakotlu road would be completed within a week.

Encroachment evictions and parking enforcement

MP Chowta and MLA Vedavyas Kamath also directed NHAI officials and the police department to evict unauthorised petty shops located along the highway, describing the proposed crackdown as similar to the earlier "Tiger Operation."

Addressing the persistent issue of illegal truck parking near NMPT, Chowta called for strict enforcement. Responding to this, ACP (Traffic) Nazma Farooqi revealed that over 200 cases had already been registered against violators.

Meanwhile, inspector Shivakumar of the North Traffic Police Station flagged the urgent need for safety railings along the Hosabettu–Kulai divider, where 13 fatalities have occurred due to the lack of barriers.

Contractors face heat over delays

A notice has been issued to the contractor handling the Kulur Bridge project over delays and financial concerns. Of the Rs 59 crore project budget, Rs 22 crore has already been released, but progress has reportedly been sluggish.

The contractor for the KPT project has withdrawn, citing issues, while the contractor working on the Nanthoor project has been given a strict deadline of October 15 to complete the service road.

“We will not tolerate delays like those seen in the Kulur Bridge project,” said Javed, Project Director at NHAI. “If the Nanthoor contractor fails to meet the deadline, the contract will be terminated.”