NHAI to prepare DPR for overall improvement of Surathkal-Kundapura NH 66 stretch

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has commissioned preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for the overall improvement of a 76-km stretch of Kochi-Panvel National Highway 66 between Surathkal and Kundapura, in coastal Karnataka.

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary said the NHAI has responded to his repeated demand for improving the highway stretch that has been witnessing increased number of mishaps besides causing severe inconvenience to road users as well as pedestrians.

NHAI Karnataka Regional Officer V. P. Brahmankar wrote to Mr. Poojary on November 25 that the Authority has appointed Dhruv Consultancy Service Private Limited and Mark Civil Engineering Services Private Limited to prepare a DPR for construction of service roads in the balance stretches of the highway in the section. The consultants were also told to suggest long-term measures at important junctions, including Kota, Brahmavra, Padubidri and Mulki, the Regional Officer informed the MP.

Mr. Poojary, in a statement, said the Authority was asked to address repeated accidents on the stretch, including at Mulki, Padubidri, Brahmavara, Kota Moorkai, Thekkatte, and Koteshwara. With the NHAI initiating the DPR process, the MP hoped that construction and improvement work would soon commence to alleviate people’s woes.

No proper planning

Road users of the stretch blamed the NHAI for lack of far-sightedness while planning widening of the highway into four lanes between Talapady in Dakshina Kannada and Kundapura in Udupi district.

According to a retired PWD engineer, the Authority should have anticipated traffic congestion, possibility of accidents and threat to pedestrians, at important junctions along the stretch, including (from Talapady) K.C. Road, Beeri, Pavanje, Haleyangadi, Mulki-Karnad, Mulki Town, Mulki-Bappanadu, Padubidri, Uchhila, Katpady, Udyavara-Balaipade, Ambalapady, Utupi-Nittur, Udupi-Ambagilu, Kallianapura-Santhekatte, Kolalagiri Cross, Brahmavara Mahesh Hospital, Brahmavara Akashavani, Saligrama Town, Kota Moorkai and Thekkatte, while planning the four lane project.

However, the NHAI executed the project without planning adequate vehicular over passes (VoP) or vehicular under passes (VuP) depending upon the location, thereby compounding the problems. Owing to public pressure and demand from elected representatives, the Authority is now planning VuPs or VoPs one by one, including Kallianapura-Santhekatte, Ambalapady and Katpady. The Authority should have constructed service roads throughout the stretch considering the fact that highway flanks in the coastal districts have already become semi-urban, he added.