37 km port connectivity road to be illuminated with street lights: MP Brijesh Chowta

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, April 25, 2025: The MP was speaking after launching the highway improvement work for NH 75 from B.C. Road to Nanthoor and NH 66 from Nanthoor to Surathkal at Surathkal.

Stating that the Port Road developed by New Mangalore Port Road Company Ltd., (NMPRCL) perhaps was the first four-lane road in the district, Capt. Chowta said it was also plagued with several issues right from the beginning. General public blamed the people’s representatives for the shortcomings without realising the intricacies involved, he regretted.

Of the 13 Port Roads in the country, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already taken over 10, and the Union Road Transport Ministry has in principle agreed to take over the one in Mangaluru too. Till then, the highway could not be left unattended as it was a crucial stretch not only for Mangaluru but also for the entire region. Notwithstanding technical and administrative bottlenecks, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari got ₹31 crore sanctioned for the improvement work.

Mugrodi Constructions bagged the contract by quoting ₹28.58 crore, for which NMPRCL has issued a letter of acceptance and the work was expected to be completed before the rains start. It would also maintain the stretch for the next 10 years, Capt. Chowta said. He appreciated NHAI Mangaluru Project Office for expeditiously inviting tenders and closing the bids for the work.

Capt. Chowta also said free left would be arranged at the jinxed Nanthoor Junction to ease traffic congestion before the onset of monsoon.

Additional RoB

Mangaluru City North MLA Y. Bharath Shetty urged Capt. Chowta to get an additional railway Over Bridge (RoB) sanctioned for Surathkal-MRPL Road that witnesses heavy traffic. Calling the MP a go-getter, Mr. Shetty appreciated him for solving the Port Road issue.