NHAI to construct 13-km service roads and six foot overbridges along NH 66 between Kundapur and Talapady

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 22, 2025: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will construct service roads for a length of over 13 km along Kochi-Panvel National Highway 66 between Kundapur and Talapady to enhance safe vehicular and pedestrian crossings. Along with service roads, the Authority would also build foot overbridges at six locations in the two districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

Work on the service roads and FoBs would be taken up soon after monsoon, said NHAI Mangaluru Project Director Abdulla Javed Azmi. The Authority would spend about ₹72 crore for the construction of service roads and erection of FoBs.

Residents along the highway as well as road users had long been pointing out the lacunae of service roads for hassle-free movement of local traffic, which at times would be forced to take a long detour to reach their destinations. Absence of service roads was also leading to motorists moving against the traffic and violating the one-way rule, thereby endangering other road users and pedestrians. People’s representatives, including the MLAs and the MPs of the region had put pressure on the NHAI and the Union Road Transport Ministry to immediately create the required infrastructure.

Locations identified

Respective district administrations along with the police department had identified particular locations where service roads and FoBs were badly needed and recommended to the NHAI for necessary action.  

Consequently, the authority got approval from the Ministry for service roads on both sides of the highway and FoBs. The stretches include Koteshwara (0.83 km); Beejadi to Thekkatte (3.5 km); Saligrama (1.02 km); Ambagilu (1 km); Balaipade to Udyavara (0.325 km, right hand side); Balaipade to Udyavara (1.645 km); Bada Yermal (2 km); Hejmady (0.75 km); Mulky (0.5 km); Padupanambur (0.31 km); Haleyangadi (0.55 km) and Beeri (0.7 km).

Service roads in Brahmavar

Asked about the demand of Brahmavar residents for service roads in the town following the death of a 14 year-old boy on April 1, Mr. Azmi said service road would be built on both the sides of NH 66 between Mahesh Hospital and Shamlin Lawn. It would be done as part of additional scope of work.

Foot overbridges

Similarly, six FoBs would be erected along the highway stretch to ensure safe pedestrian crossings. The locations include, Mahesh Hospital in Brahmavar, Nittur in Udupi, Thenka Yermal, Bappanadu Temple in Mulky, Mukka Junction and Yekkur near Fisheries College in Mangaluru.