SH 27 between Haikady and Goliyangadi in Udupi district of Karnataka. Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary has urged the Union government to hasten declaration of Kundapura-Sringeri State Highway (portion of Byndoor-Virajpet SH 27) as National Highway for enhanced connectivity between the coast and the hinterland.
| Photo Credit: ANIL KUMAR SASTRY
Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary has urged the Union Government to hasten the process of declaring a portion of State Highway 27 between Kundapura and Chikkamagaluru via Agumbe and Sringeri as a National Highway.
The proposal, Mr. Poojary said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 24, has already received in-principle approval from the Union Road Transport Ministry, pending a formal declaration. The 170-km stretch, upon being upgraded as an NH, would greatly serve the coastal and Western Ghat regions of Karnataka by way of enhancing connectivity, the MP explained in a letter submitted to Mr. Modi during the latter’s visit to Udupi on November 28.
State Highway 27 near Nadpal in Udupi district.
| Photo Credit:
ANIL KUMAR SASTRY
Mr. Poojary said the Kundapura-Sringeri SH via Koteshwara, Halady, Someshwara and Agumbe in Udupi, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts would greatly strengthen coastal-hinterland connectivity upon being upgraded as an NH. It would boost tourism in Someshwara, Agumbe, Sringeri and surrounding areas, besides supporting movement of agricultural and commercial goods, he said.
Similarly, the Sringeri-Chikkamagaluru (Nadipur) stretch of SH 27 via Agalagandi, Jayapura, Balehonnur and Aldur, would strengthen connectivity to pilgrim centre Sringeri from Bengaluru, and surrounding regions when upgraded as an NH, the MP argued. The stretch has been a vital link between the Western Ghats, religious centres like Sringeri, and commercial and coffeee centres like Balehonnur, the MP stated.
The upgradation is crucial for regional connectivity, economic development and public safety as the routes connect key towns, economic zones, historical centres and agricultural belts, Mr. Poojary stated.
Varied width
The bridge on Thunga river on SH 27 in Sringeri.
| Photo Credit:
ANIL KUMAR SASTRY
The State Highway, being maintained at present by Karnataka Public Works Department, has width varying from 5 metres to 7 metres at different locations. At stretches, the highway has seen improvement, including Koteshwara, Halady and Goliangady in Udupi district, and near Sringeri in Chikkamagaluru district.
Because of the near absence of a bitumen road between Aldur and Balehonnur in Chikkamagaluru district during the current monsoon season, motorists had a hard time driving between Chikkamagaluru and Sringeri.
Published – December 05, 2025 02:16 pm IST
