Mangaluru traffic alert: Repair and maintenance of Surathkal-Nanthoor stretch of NH 66 to be done at night

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 9, 2025: Anticipating massive traffic hold-ups on the crucial Panvel-Kochi National Highway 66 during the ongoing repair and maintenance of battered Surathkal-Nanthoor stretch of the highway, Mangaluru City Traffic Police have told the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to execute the works at night.

After early rains disrupted NHAI’s plans of total overhaul of the 11-km stretch and repair of battered Baikampady-Kulur stretch of the Port Connectivity Road (Portions of NH 66 and NH 75) in May, the Authority proposed to recommence the repair and maintenance work from August 7. The work would be undertaken during dry spells during off-peak hours in the day time, and at night in coordination with MCTP, NHAI had said.

However, partial closure of carriageways even during off-peak hours on August 7 had a cascading effect on vehicular movement forcing the traffic police to suggest to NHAI to undertake the works at night.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic), K. Ravishankar said based on the experience, police told NHAI to take up repair work at night. “Pothole filling work on the Kulur old bridge is already complete while major repair work on the Kulur-Baikampady stretch is pending,” he said.

Following the advisory, the NHAI restricted the repair and maintenance work to cleaning the surface of the carriageways, and clearing shoulder drains along the Surathkal-Nanthoor stretch. NHAI also continued with laying concrete on a portion of the Udupi-Mangaluru carriageway that is badly affected near Baikampady Circle.

NHAI has proposed to undertake the repair and maintenance on behalf of New Mangalore Port Road Company Ltd., (NMPRC), the special purpose vehicle that constructed the Port Connectivity Road between B C Road and NITK-Surathkal, till August 13 if the dry spell continues.