"Major Step for Mangaluru Bypass as Centre Authorizes Project Blueprinting for Local Highways."

The Centre has approved the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) for several key highway projects in Dakshina Kannada, BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowta said recently.

The approval covers the widening of the Surathkal–BC Road stretch via the Mangaluru Bypass and the construction of service roads along National Highway-66 from Talapady to Kundapur.

Chowta, who represents Dakshina Kannada, said the decision marks the first major step towards strengthening road infrastructure along the coastal belt and addresses long-pending concerns related to traffic congestion, port connectivity and road safety.

The highways serve as major entry corridors to Mangaluru city and are critical for daily passenger movement as well as the transport of goods to and from New Mangalore Port. However, the lack of service roads and limited road capacity have led to severe congestion and safety issues, he said in a release.

Chowta said he had repeatedly taken up the matter with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). During the 2024 Monsoon Session of Parliament, he met senior ministry officials to press the case for service roads on NH-66, and the issue was also raised at the DISHA committee meeting in Mangaluru in September 2024.

Following the approval, consultants have been instructed to begin work on the DPRs. The reports will evaluate road alignment, provision of service roads, grade-separated junctions, traffic capacity enhancement, safety measures and long-term traffic management.

Welcoming the decision, Chowta said the approval would provide the technical and administrative foundation needed for execution of the projects. He also thanked Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and NHAI officials for responding to the region’s infrastructure requirements.