Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Oct 14: Commuters and the general public have urged the authorities to take immediate action to improve the Kundapur–Thirthahalli State Highway (SH 52), one of the key roads connecting the coastal town of Kundapur with Thirthahalli, Shivamogga, and Bengaluru. The 90-km-long highway, which has remained neglected for over four decades, is in dire need of upgrading and widening.
The highway passes through important locations including, Moodlakatte (Kundapur Railway Station), Amparu, Basrur, Siddapura, Hosangadi, Balebare (Hulikal) Ghat, Mastikatte. While several State highways in the region have been developed in recent years, SH 52 continues to remain in poor condition.
The Kundapur–Siddapura stretch, in particular, has seen increased economic activities leading to heavy vehicular movement. The highway should either be upgraded to a national highway or converted into a four-lane road to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow.
There is urgent need to reconstruct the Kandlur Bridge across the Varahi River, built in the 1960s, which has now become unsafe for traffic. Widening the SH 52 would not only enhance connectivity between the coast and the hinterland but also boost tourism in the coastal region, which boasts several beautiful beaches around Kundapur. The improved road would also facilitate easier transportation of marine products.
Social activist Mithun Shetty, who has been leading the campaign for the widening of SH 52, pointed out that the highway is narrow in several stretches, especially between Kundapur–Amparu and Siddapura–Hosangadi. “Vehicles get piled up behind slow-moving heavy vehicles due to lack of overtaking space,” he said.
Mithun Shetty emphasized that the Balebare Ghat section often experiences landslides and lacks sufficient space for widening into four lanes. Hence, he urged the government to consider constructing a tunnel road in this stretch to ensure uninterrupted vehicular movement. He noted that all major ghats in the region, including Kollur, Balebare, Agumbe, Mala, Charmadi, Shiradi, and Sampaje, frequently face landslides during the monsoon season, causing severe travel disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has written to the principal secretary of the PWD, Bengaluru, seeking a response to the petitioner who had forwarded the representation to the Prime Minister’s Office. The ministry has marked the matter as “most urgent.”
Mithun Shetty said that efforts are on to meet PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi soon regarding the issue. “We have submitted memorandums to several officials and representatives, including MPs Kota Srinivas Poojary and B Y Raghavendra.” he added.