The Union government has sanctioned ₹57 crore under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) to Dakshina Kannada district for improving an 82.94-km road network through 14 major projects, according to Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta.

The government has given administrative approval for projects involving the improvement and upgradation of State highways and major district roads, he said in a statement.

The projects will be taken up across taluks including Mangaluru, Ullal, Moodbidri, Puttur and Bantwal, the MP added.

Projects

The projects include improving a 2.66-km stretch from Chembugudde to Machali Hotel on the Katapady–Abbakka Circle Road and a road near Infosys in Ullal taluk, both at a cost of ₹4 crore each, besides improving selected sections of the Sajipanad–Bolyar Road covering a total of 2.88 km at a cost of ₹2 crore.

Other projects include improving an 8.90-km stretch of State highway from Hosangady–Puchamogaru Bridge in Moodbidri to Belthangady–Bantwal Cross, improving a 10.50-km stretch of State highway from Bajpe to Kaikamba and from Polali Dwara to Addur Bridge, and developing a 10.07-km section of State highway from Pangalpady to Kudkoli on the Murje–Kudkoli Road in Punjalkatte. The government will invest ₹6 crore in each of these three projects.

In addition, a 3-km stretch of the Uppinangady–Periyadka–Koyla Road will be developed at a cost of ₹2 crore, a 4.50-km section of the Hantyaru–Bettampady Road at a cost of ₹3 crore, and a 0.65-km stretch of the Kepulu–Padil Road at a cost of ₹1 crore.

Capt. Chowta said a 10.10-km section of the Subrahmanya–Manjeshwar Road and a 10-km stretch of the Venur–Andinje–Naravi Road will be improved at a cost of ₹6 crore each.

Road widening projects

The MP said a 5-km section of the Belthangady–Moodbidri–Mulki State Highway, from Excellent College to the Moodbidri Police Station Road, will be widened at a cost of ₹5 crore.

Capt. Chowta said a 3-km section of the Anantady–Mangilapadu–Kodapadavu Road will be widened at a cost of ₹5 crore.

A 5.50-km section of the road from Somantadka to Hedya will be improved at a cost of ₹5 crore.

Urban, rural connectivity

These projects will help improve urban and rural connectivity and facilitate the smooth flow of traffic.

Once completed, the projects will boost economic, educational, and tourism activities in the district, he said.