The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced plans for an express highway between Bengaluru and the coastal region to ensure seamless connectivity in all weather conditions. Bids for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) were invited in July, and by the November 4 deadline, nine organizations had expressed interest. The project is expected to be approved in 2025, with the winning contractor given 540 days to prepare the DPR. Construction is anticipated to begin by 2028.
The proposed 335-kilometre highway will be a four-lane or six-lane road passing through Hassan and featuring bypasses through the Western Ghats. Once completed, this expressway will significantly reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Mangaluru.
Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has been a strong supporter of the project, highlighting the lack of reliable connectivity between coastal Karnataka and the rest of the state. He noted, “Mangaluru is almost isolated due to limitations in tourism infrastructure and the current road network. The city has a port, but it cannot be upgraded without better connectivity. Air travel remains the only practical option.”
Despite environmental and financial challenges, Gundu Rao emphasized the importance of the project and suggested potential townships along the route to make it economically viable. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in collaboration with the Public Works Department (PWD), will handle the land acquisition and overall connectivity for the project.
NHAI regional officer Vilas P Brahmankar provided updates on existing roadworks, including the expansion of the Hassan-Sakleshpur-Marannahalli stretch to four lanes, with completion expected by June 2025. The agency also plans to tackle bottlenecks in the Shiradi Ghat section through flyovers and tunnels.
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