Mangaluru: The much-anticipated Jappu Mahakalipaddu Railway Underpass, originally scheduled to open by the onset of monsoon, has encountered unexpected delays due to the discovery of an underground dam structure. The underpass, part of the Mangaluru Smart City initiative, was designed to ease traffic congestion and provide seamless vehicular movement. However, ongoing excavation revealed an underground dam, stalling progress.
While construction is still underway, a portion of the one-lane road connecting Jappinamogaru on the National Highway has been completed. The current situation has restricted vehicular access in the area for several years. A narrow, temporary path has been carved out for two-wheelers, but it features a hazardous pothole at a bend, posing a serious risk to riders. The road’s narrowness and peak-hour congestion have only worsened matters. Additionally, level crossing gates frequently contribute to bottlenecks.
Smart City authorities have allocated ₹30.7 crore to the Railway Department for the entire underbridge project. Of this, approximately ₹20 crore will be spent on the construction of the railway bridge, while the remainder is earmarked for building the connecting roads. The Railway Department is independently executing the work through its tendering process.
A four-lane concrete road has already been constructed on either side of the future underpass, setting the groundwork for improved connectivity once the bridge is completed.
Despite current setbacks, the revised deadline has been set for October, and officials hope to accelerate construction once technical challenges are addressed.