Mangaluru : Highway projects in Dakshina Kannada will gain momentum, with development plans being prepared for the next 15 years, MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said.
Chowta and Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik laid the foundation stone for upgrading the four-lane stretch of NH-73 from Brahmashree Narayana Guru Circle to Ganadapadpu. Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is supporting the Rs 22.6-crore project. A foundation stone was also laid for maintenance works on Punjalkatte highway, for which Rs 34.5 crore has been sanctioned. A service road would also be developed along the entire NH-66 stretch from Talapady to Kundapur under the highway development plans. Highways passing through the city would also be upgraded after discussions with MLAs as part of a comprehensive 15-year plan covering areas within and outside city limits.
Chowta said the project would fulfil the long-pending demand for a four-lane road from Brahmashree Narayana Guru Circle to Narayana Guru Mandir. He said a detailed project report was being prepared for four-laning the Mani-Sampaje stretch. Chowta said there were plans to build a bypass from Surathkal to BC Road to address demand for a Mangaluru city bypass.
As part of Seva Sankalpa Abhiyan marking 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public service, Chowta lit Seva Jyoti and flagged off Seva Jyoti Yatra organised by BJP Bantwal Mandal. He criticised previous Congress govt over existing flyover arrangements, alleging that the highway network had been poorly designed. Naik, MLC Kishore Puttur and others attended.