The Union government has approved a ₹414.16 crore infrastructure project, which includes the construction of an elevated flyover and service roads along National Highway 66 from Baikampady to KIOCL Junction, according to Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Capt. Brijesh Chowta.

The project involves the development of a 3.075 km long main road corridor aimed at improving direct connectivity to the New Mangalore Port. As part of the project, a 1.520 km long six-lane elevated flyover will be constructed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model. In addition, service roads with a total length of 5.825 km will be developed on either side of the highway.

The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) will provide the required additional land and financial support for the implementation of the project, Capt. Chowta said in a release.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated the tender process for the project, he said.

Capt. Chowta also said that the NH 66 stretch in the port region serves as a key corridor for the movement of export and import cargo to and from the New Mangalore Port. The proposed project is expected to separate highway traffic from local vehicular movement, thereby improving traffic flow and enhancing road safety.

He said the road infrastructure upgrade in the Baikampady industrial area and KIOCL area would contribute significantly to the industrial and economic growth of Dakshina Kannada and improve the overall connectivity in the coastal belt while addressing future traffic requirements.

The MP said the road stretch within the port limits was earlier under the jurisdiction of the National Highway Logistics Management Limited, and the absence of a dedicated implementing agency and funding constraints had posed technical challenges to highway development works in the region.

He said sustained efforts had helped resolve the issues and facilitate the transfer of the port-area road stretch to the NHAI. Approval had already been granted for the construction of underpasses near Baikampady and Kuloor Junction on NH 66 at a cost of ₹11.63 crore, and work related to the project is under way.

“We have been consistently pursuing this project to enable better port connectivity and to foster port-led development in Dakshina Kannada. The approval of this elevated flyover and service road project will significantly strengthen cargo movement and improve the overall connectivity in the region,” he said.

“I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for sanctioning this key infrastructure project, which will further pave the way for the growth of Dakshina Kannada towards realising the goal of Viksit Bharat,” Capt. Chowta said.