MP Brijesh Chowta meets Minister Nitin Gadkari in Delhi, urges implementation of key infrastructure projects

MP Brijesh Chowta meets Minister Nitin Gadkari in Delhi, urges implementation of key infrastructure projects

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 25, 2025: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta has urged Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to bring the Surathkal–BC Road stretch, which falls under the New Mangalore Port jurisdiction, under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for better upkeep and to ensure smooth vehicular movement.

During a meeting with the minister in New Delhi, MP Chowta stressed the deteriorating condition of the port connectivity road in Mangaluru. Currently managed under the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the road suffers from the absence of a dedicated maintenance agency, insufficient funds, and irregular upkeep — issues that worsen during the monsoon, severely affecting traffic flow.

 

 

To address the problem, the MP requested that the highway be handed over to NHAI and upgraded with a permanent and well-managed maintenance system. He said he has been in constant touch with relevant authorities and sought the minister’s direct intervention to resolve the matter.

Outer Ring Road for Mangaluru

Highlighting that Mangaluru is fast emerging as Karnataka’s second-largest city, Chowta pointed out rising traffic congestion in certain areas. As the coastal city expands due to rapid urbanization, it faces challenges in mobility and infrastructure. Despite robust connectivity through road, rail, port, and air, Chowta said a long-term solution is needed for central city congestion.

To ease this, he urged the construction of an Outer Ring Road to connect NH-66 and NH-75, providing a strategic bypass for smoother intra-city traffic flow.

Shiradi Ghat Joint Survey Proposal

The MP also sought the Railway Ministry’s cooperation in conducting a joint survey with NHAI for developmental work along the ecologically sensitive and technically challenging Shiradi Ghat region. He proposed appointing an expert committee to oversee the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR). A collaborative approach led by specialists, Chowta said, would ensure sustainable and technically sound infrastructure solutions for the region.

Minister Responds Positively

Capt. Chowta added that Minister Nitin Gadkari responded positively to all the representations, including the Surathkal–BC Road NHAI request, the Outer Ring Road proposal for Mangaluru, and the joint Shiradi Ghat DPR initiative. He also expressed gratitude for the ministry’s progress on the long-awaited Mangaluru–Bengaluru high-speed corridor project, for which tendering and DPR preparation has already begun.