CH NEWS, UDUPI
Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary directed National Highway officials to complete pending service roads and related works on National Highway 66 at the earliest. He said timely completion was necessary to improve road safety, reduce accidents and ensure smoother traffic movement across the district.
At a review meeting in Manipal, Poojary examined progress on service roads, flyovers, underpasses and other highway infrastructure. He directed engineers to prioritize pending service roads, including stretches near Koteshwar, Beezadi, Kumbhashi, Thekkatte, Brahmavar, Santekate and Udyavar. He said completed sections should be opened for public use without unnecessary delay.
The MP stressed that construction must maintain quality and include proper drainage and traffic safety measures. He said service road work had not started at some locations and instructed officials to take immediate action. Sites near Nittur and Mahesh Hospital in Brahmavar will be inspected, with foot overbridges considered after obtaining public opinion.
Poojary said tree clearance for service road construction had begun near Ambagilu junction and asked engineers to undertake temporary repairs on the Kinnimulki-Ambalapady road. He also discussed plans for an accident-free road towards Talapady, taking the Kerala model as a reference.
Work on the Katapadi underpass is progressing, with one side already open to traffic. Poojary said the remaining side should be completed soon to reduce congestion. He also announced a special meeting under the District Collector to discuss restrictions on commercial construction near national highways and possible legal measures. NHAI Project Director Abdul Javed Azmi, consultant engineers and other officials attended the meeting. Poojary directed officials to coordinate closely and ensure the remaining works are completed safely and efficiently.