Two foot over bridges sanctioned on NH 66: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said that two Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) have been sanctioned on NH 66. The FOBs will come up at Mukka (near Srinivas College) and Yekkur (near Fisheries College). These developmental works will commence at the earliest and are expected to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Tender floated

New Mangalore Port Road Company Limited (NMPRCL) has invited tenders for operation and routine maintenance of key highway stretches, ensuring better connectivity to New Mangalore Port. Highlighting the need for addressing the dismal condition of the road infrastructure around Mangalore port, Captain Chowta had written to all concerned officials for enhancing port road connectivity at the earliest.

During his meeting with Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways as well as in his letters to the ministry, Captain Chowta had highlighted the need for urgently addressing various issues of the NH66 stretch from BC Road to Surathkal - including need for maintenance, black spots endangering lives and storm water drains among others - emphasising the critical nature of the portion given its proximity to the port, its placement as a key entry point to the city and the high density of local as well as cargo traffic in the region.

The NHAI has now invited tenders at a cost of Rs 26.05 crore to cover a stretch of 37.472 km covering Surathkal to Nanthoor on NH 66, B C Road to Padil on NH 73, bypass from Nanthoor Junction to Padil.

The scope of work includes overlaying of 11.084 km (Surathkal to APMC, Kulur to AJ Hospital, and Nanthoor to Padil), carriageway cleaning and removal of vegetation, road property management and maintenance, road safety improvements (engineering works).

“This reaffirms our commitment to improving road infrastructure and ensuring the safety of commuters in DK. With enhanced service roads, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and improved connectivity to New Mangalore Port, will boost both trade and transport as well as tourism prospects of the region ,” said Captain Chowta.

NH 169 to be completed by May

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) project director Abdulla Javed Azmi said that four-laning of the stretch from Vamanjoor-Sanoor of Mangaluru-Solapur NH 169 will be completed by May.

Of the 45-km stretch, four-lane work on about 33-km will be completed. Completion of work on about three- km stretch between Kulashekar and Vamanjoor, stretches of Moodbidri bypass and few other stretches have been stalled due to various reasons including the issue in the court, he said.