Mangaluru: The commissioning of the much-anticipated twin railway underbridges (RUB) at Mahakalipadpu faces a likely delay due to early monsoon showers disrupting civic work by Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL).
On Wednesday, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, Mangaluru City South MLA Vedavyas Kamath, and officials from MSCL, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), and other departments conducted a site inspection. The Palakkad division of Southern Railway had earlier achieved a key milestone on May 7 by successfully inserting the final of four concrete boxes and removing the last girder — all without halting train services.
MSCL’s general manager (technical), Arun Prabha KS, stated that if the weather holds, one lane may open to traffic by July 15. However, the area’s low-lying geography, surrounded by water bodies, poses drainage challenges. A 300-metre pipeline is being installed to direct stormwater to the outfall — 115 metres of which is already laid. The MP has urged railway officials to complete the remaining stretch swiftly.
Officials highlighted the technical complexity of the project, noting that the girder used is possibly the widest in India, demanding precise engineering without disrupting rail operations.
Additionally, an MCC pipeline supplying Jeppinamogaru was diverted through the utility drain post girder insertion. With drain work nearing completion, road-laying and civil works will soon follow. A design is in place to mitigate monsoon-related waterlogging, though locals remain apprehensive.
The MP has demanded a detailed progress report by next week.
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