Four-laning of Vamanjoor-Sanoor stretch of Mangaluru-Solapur NH 169 to be completed by May: NHAI

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 3, 2025: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Saturday, said four-lane work of Vamanjoor-Sanoor stretch of Mangaluru-Solapur National Highway 169 that is being executed between Bikarnakatte in Mangaluru and Sanoor in Karkala will get completed by May this year.

Of the 45 km stretch, four-lane work on about 33 km would be completed by the time, Abdulla Javed Azmi, director of NHAI Mangaluru Project Office told the district development and coordination committee meeting chaired by Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta here. Completion of work About 3 km stretch between Kulashekara and Vamanjoor,  certain stretches of Moodbidri bypass and some other stretches were held up for different reasons, the official said.

At this juncture, Deputy Commissioner MP Mullai Muhilan and Capt. Chowta asked the NHAI and the Mangaluru City Corporation to ensure stability to the Kettikal hill cutting near Vamanjoor which was in a precarious condition due to indiscriminate hill cutting. Both the entities assured the meeting of taking adequate protection measures before the onset of Monsoon.

Service roads

The project director told the meeting that the authority has sanctioned construction of service roads at four stretches along Kochi-Panvel National Highway 66 in and around Mangaluru. They included 500 m at Bappanadu and 380 m at Padu Panambur near Mulki, 550 m at Haleyangadi and 700 m at Kotekar-Beeri. Tender process was on and the work would commence after the Monsoon, he said.

Mr. Muhilan asked the NHAI and the MCC to be vigilant about possible flooding of upstream areas of Kulur bridge on NH 66 where NAHI was building a six-lane bridge as the cofferbunds could affect free flow of floodwaters. The officer said by November, girders for the new bridge would be launched.

Mangaluru-Bengaluru highway

Four-lane work between Periyashanthi and Adda Hole (Package 1) of Mangaluru-Bengaluru NH 75 was complete by 95.4% while work on 0.39 km stretch was held up due to High Court stay on the issue of elephant corridor. Of the total 63 km (B C Road-Adda Hole), 35.1 km four-lane work was complete while the entire stretch becomes four-lane by June 2025. The Kalladka flyover would be opened by March-end, the officer said.

While vehicular under passes (VUPs) at Panemangaluru and Melkar were commissioned, the one at Mani Junction was complete while vehicles were being allowed on one of the two service roads. Both service roads would be opened by March-end, he said.