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Mangaluru: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to construct a new underpass near the Kuloor bridge on National Highway 66 in Mangaluru. Administrative approval for the project has already been granted, and the construction work is expected to begin within the next couple of days.

The underpass is being built mainly to ensure smooth traffic movement on the highway and to help heavy vehicles travelling from the Tannirbhavi and KIOCL side towards the Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The tender process for the project has already been completed.

A large number of goods vehicles regularly move from the Tannirbhavi area towards Jokatte and the SEZ. At present, these vehicles cross the highway, which often leads to traffic jams and disruption of regular vehicle movement. The demand for an underpass had been raised to solve this issue.

NHAI has instructed the contractor, National Infra Company, to begin work immediately. According to NHAI Project Director Abdullah Javed Azmi, piling work will start first, and box structures between the two highways will be given priority.

He said that once traffic begins on the new bridge and highway, work on the underpass below the existing road will continue, after which the connecting road will be completed.

The underpass will come up near the northern side of the Kuloor bridge, connecting the existing Tannirbhavi–Jokatte cross road. Officials said the availability of nearly 25 metres of space at the location made it suitable for the project.

Two box structures with a width of 10 metres and a height of 5.5 metres will be constructed. The total length of the underpass will be 60 metres, following highway guidelines.

At present, traffic congestion is frequently reported at the Kuloor KIOCL junction, especially during peak hours when heavy vehicles cross the highway. NHAI said the underpass was identified as the best solution after considering different options.

Officials added that constructing a flyover at the same spot was not possible because pipelines belonging to companies such as Total Gas, SEZ and KIOCL pass through the area. They also said the bridge location offers an elevation advantage, while building an underpass further ahead would be difficult as the highway slopes downward.

• Estimated cost: Rs 7 crore
• Contractor: National Infra
• Length: 60 metres
• Width: 10 metres
• Height: 5.5 metres
• Completion period: 6 months

NHAI has also approved the long-pending Kuloor KIOCL–Baikampady flyover project. Approval from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is expected within a week.

The flyover will be a six-lane structure with a single-pillar design supporting traffic on both sides. Since it is part of the port connectivity project, the New Mangalore Port Authority will bear the full project cost of Rs 414 crore. Officials said there will be no toll for the flyover.

Abdullah Javed Azmi said the underpass work would begin within a couple of days and that once completed, vehicles on the highway and the Tannirbhavi–Jokatte route would be able to move without interruption. He added that highway crossings at the junction would later be stopped.