Mangaluru: Legislative Assembly Speaker and Mangaluru MLA U T Khader has announced that a comprehensive underground power cabling project for Ullal town has been prepared and work will begin shortly. The project, estimated at ₹186 crore, has already received State government sanction and aims to eliminate overhead live electricity lines across the town.
Addressing mediapersons, Khader said tenders are currently being floated and the project will be implemented as part of a larger beautification and safety initiative for Ullal. He added that once completed, the town will be free from exposed overhead power cables, reducing risk and improving urban aesthetics.
Safety concerns behind underground cabling plan
Khader said several serious issues related to existing electricity infrastructure in Ullal prompted the proposal. In many areas, high-tension power lines pass directly above houses and terraces, posing danger to residents. In some locations, electricity poles have even been erected within private compound walls.
He noted that MESCOM has often found it difficult to shift poles and lines due to space constraints and dense development. Underground cabling was therefore proposed as a long-term solution to address safety hazards and infrastructure limitations.
The works will be taken up through Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL). In addition to Ullal’s ₹186 crore project, another ₹60 crore has been approved for underground cabling works in other parts of Mangaluru city.
Substation upgrade planned for future demand
To strengthen electricity supply and meet future demand, Khader said the existing 33 KV station in Ullal will be upgraded to a 110 KV substation. The upgrade is estimated to cost ₹96 crore.
He said the decision has been taken keeping in mind projected population growth and development needs over the next 30 years. The upgraded substation is expected to improve voltage stability and supply reliability in Ullal and surrounding areas.
Parallel Nethravathi bridge project cleared
Khader also announced a major infrastructure project to reduce congestion on National Highway 66 and promote tourism — a parallel bridge across the Nethravathi river from Kotepura to Bolara. The proposed bridge will be built at an estimated cost of ₹252 crore.
The bridge, planned over a stretch of about 1.5 km, will be among the longest in the region. He said all necessary permissions have been obtained and tenders will be floated shortly.
Recalling the historical importance of Kotepura as a business hub before the existing Nethravathi bridge was built, Khader said the new structure would revive connectivity and tourism potential. The bridge will be designed to offer closer views of the Arabian Sea.
He added that there are plans to develop facilities such as hotels, restaurants and parks beneath the bridge structure. A proposal is also under consideration to restrict vehicular traffic on the bridge between 4 pm and 8 pm on weekends to encourage tourism activity.
Additional bridges and road works
Another bridge project between Sajipa and Thumbe has also been sanctioned at a cost of ₹62 crore. This bridge will benefit residents of Arkula, Meramajalu and Thumbe by providing more direct connectivity.
At present, residents of Sajipa must travel via Melkar and Bantwal to reach Thumbe. The new bridge project is currently at the tender stage.
Responding to protests over the poor condition of the Mudipu–Bakrabailu road, Khader said drainage and road repair works worth ₹3 crore are already in progress. He stated that some of the criticism is being raised mainly for publicity while works are ongoing on the ground.
Land allotted for Kannada Bhavana
Khader further said that the State government has sanctioned 50 cents of land for the construction of a Kannada Bhavana for the Mangaluru taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat. The land is located in Survey No. 61/3 at Tiruvail village near Vamanjoor and has been allotted in the name of the Kannada and Culture Department.
A full-fledged Kannada Bhavana will be built on the site to support literary and cultural activities.
Abbakka Bhavana and Beary Bhavana soon
He also announced that the foundation stones for Abbakka Bhavana and Beary Bhavana in the Mangaluru constituency will be laid shortly by the Kannada and Culture Minister.
An amount of ₹8 crore has been sanctioned for Abbakka Bhavana and ₹6 crore for Beary Bhavana. These centres are expected to promote community heritage, culture and educational activities.
Conclusion
With major investments in underground cabling, substations and bridge infrastructure, Ullal and surrounding areas are set for significant upgrades in safety, connectivity and urban development. The projects, once executed, are expected to reduce risk from overhead lines, ease traffic congestion and create new tourism and cultural spaces in the region.