Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 19: Union ministry of road transport and highways has released an additional grant of Rs 11.63 crore for the construction of underpasses at two major junctions on National Highway-66 on the outskirts of Mangaluru city — Baikampady and Kuloor, Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta said.
An underpass will be constructed at the Baikampady junction, which had turned into a black spot, at a cost of Rs 7.09 crore.
Approval has also been granted for underpass construction work near the KIOCL junction and Kuloor bridge on National Highway-66 at a cost of Rs 4.54 crore. MP Chowta said the underpass in this area would greatly help ease traffic congestion and ensure smooth movement of vehicles travelling towards Tannirbhavi Beach and MSEZ.
“Our government is committed to ensuring highway safety and smooth traffic movement in Dakshina Kannada district. Earlier, the road in the NMPT region was under the jurisdiction of National Highway Logistics Management Limited, and due to the absence of a specific agency and shortage of funds, highway development faced severe challenges. Through continuous efforts, the technical hurdles and challenges were resolved, and the port-area road has now been completely handed over to the National Highways Authority,” he stated.
He further said that with the construction of the underpass near Kuloor bridge and the approval for an underpass at the Baikampady junction, which had become a black spot, smoother travel between Mangaluru and Udupi would be possible in the coming days. The project would also greatly benefit commuters travelling towards the Baikampady industrial area and MSEZ.
“All efforts will be made to complete the construction of these two underpasses within the stipulated timeframe,” he added.
MP Brijesh Chowta also expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Dakshina Kannada district to the union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari for fulfilling the long-pending demand for highway infrastructure development in the district and immediately sanctioning funds for these important projects.