With the increasing number of vehicles traveling along the Mangaluru-Goa NH, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is contemplating the construction of additional flyovers at three sites on NH-66, specifically at Kottara Chowki, Kuloor, and Surathkal. Mangaluru City North MLA Y Bharath Shetty stated that he has submitted a proposal to the ministry requesting approval for the development of extra flyovers at these three locations.
The current flyovers on NH-66 at Kottara Chowki, Kuloor, and Surathkal facilitate only one-way traffic. Moreover, since all three sites fall within the city limits, the addition of flyovers is crucial to alleviate traffic congestion along this segment of the national highway, he noted.
Due to the absence of two-way flyovers on the NH stretch, all vehicles, including heavy ones, are compelled to navigate the city roads in a single direction, the MLA remarked. “Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta has also addressed this demand with the Union Minister. At present, the proposal for constructing additional flyovers is in the detailed project report (DPR) phase, as per NHAI officials,” Shetty mentioned.
The MLA indicated that NHAI will undertake a feasibility study to formulate the DPR, with funding to be allocated based on the findings of the report. Recognizing its critical importance, I will persist in my efforts. I plan to meet with the minister alongside the MP to ensure that the DPR is completed as soon as possible,” the MLA stated.
The flyover at Kottara Chowki, which serves as an entry point to Mangaluru city, currently allows one-way traffic towards Goa, while the flyovers at Kuloor and Surathkal permit one-way traffic towards Mangaluru. This situation contributes to traffic congestion at all three heavily trafficked locations, he added.
