NHAI Plans Six-Lane Upgrade of Major Highways Across Coastal Karnataka, Including Mangaluru
Feasibility studies and tenders underway to ease traffic congestion and improve road safety on key national highways.
Mangaluru: In view of increasing traffic congestion across coastal Karnataka, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated plans to upgrade several key national highway stretches, including those around Mangaluru, to six lanes.
Feasibility studies are currently in progress for the Kundapura–Talapady, Surathkal–BC Road, and Nanthur–Talapady sections. The tendering process for these projects has also begun, officials said.
According to NHAI estimates, the upgrade of the Kundapura–Talapady highway is expected to cost around ₹700 crore, while the Surathkal–BC Road stretch may require an investment of approximately ₹400 crore. The BC Road–Surathkal four-lane highway was constructed nearly two decades ago, but due to a sharp rise in traffic volume and the absence of service roads, the stretch now faces severe congestion. NHAI plans to expand this corridor to six lanes and construct service roads on both sides.
The Kundapura–Surathkal section, which was approved as a four-lane highway in 2010 and scheduled for completion by 2013, remains unfinished. Given the long delay, NHAI has decided to redesign and upgrade this stretch as part of the new plan.
Detailed engineering designs and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared by Dhruva Consultancy. The proposal also includes the construction of new flyovers at Brahmavar, Kota, Padubidri, and Kalapoo. In addition, NHAI is planning an extensive network of service roads along the Talapady–Kundapura stretch. At present, 25 km of service roads are operational, 13 km are under construction, and another 52 km are yet to be developed.
Officials highlighted that the lack of service roads forces two-wheelers and local traffic onto the main carriageway, increasing the risk of accidents. As a result, the construction of service roads has been given high priority. For the Kundapura–Talapady section, land acquisition is not expected to be a major challenge, as most of the required land is already available.
On the BC Road–Surathkal stretch, the existing carriageway width of 23–24 metres is proposed to be expanded to 45 metres to accommodate six lanes. Additionally, NHAI will study the feasibility of an elevated highway between Kallur and Nanthur. This proposal may include tunnel facilities for through highway traffic and separate routes for city traffic to reduce urban congestion.
An NHAI official stated that the expansion of the BC Road–Surathkal and Kundapura–Talapady sections has been prioritised, while other infrastructure works will be taken up in phases. The overall objective is to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and support long-term development in the coastal districts of Karnataka.
Source: Daijiworld
