Mangaluru: One carriageway of the long-delayed six-lane Kulur bridge on NH-66 is likely to open to traffic by the end of November, offering some relief to commuters travelling between Mangaluru and Udupi. NHAI Mangaluru project director Abdulla Javed Azmi said slab work on the new bridge is currently under way and that the first carriageway is expected to be ready by November-end.

The bridge is being constructed across the Phalguni river between the two existing Kulur bridges. The project has faced repeated delays since construction began in 2021, leaving commuters dependent on the existing infrastructure on one of the busiest stretches of NH-66 in Dakshina Kannada.

The latest update comes amid growing concerns over road conditions in the Kulur area, where potholes and craters have appeared at several locations. Commuters have also been facing traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours and the monsoon season.

First carriageway expected by November-end

According to NHAI officials, work on the new bridge is progressing, with slab construction currently under way.

Azmi said one carriageway of the six-lane bridge is expected to be opened by the end of November. The opening is expected to improve traffic movement along the Mangaluru-Udupi section of NH-66 and provide some relief to motorists who currently depend on the existing bridges.

However, the announcement is still an expected timeline rather than a confirmed opening date. The completion of remaining construction and related works will determine when traffic can actually be allowed on the new carriageway.

Six-lane bridge spans 776 metres

The new Kulur bridge is part of a major infrastructure project intended to improve connectivity along NH-66.

The total project length is approximately 776 metres, while the main bridge and service road bridges together account for about 182.5 metres, according to NHAI information cited in the report.

The bridge is being constructed between the two existing bridges across the Phalguni river.

Once completed, the new six-lane structure is expected to strengthen road connectivity on the busy Mangaluru-Udupi corridor and provide additional capacity for growing traffic.

Project delayed since 2021

The Kulur bridge project has been delayed for several years.

Construction reportedly began in 2021, with an original completion target of 18 months. Shinde Developers Pvt Ltd took up the work at an estimated cost of around ₹70 crore.

The project has since faced various delays, pushing the completion timeline well beyond the original schedule.

The prolonged construction period has been a concern for regular commuters, particularly because Kulur is an important traffic corridor connecting Mangaluru with Udupi and other parts of coastal Karnataka.

Traffic pressure on Mangaluru-Udupi route

The Kulur stretch is an important part of NH-66 and carries substantial daily traffic.

Vehicles travelling between Mangaluru and Udupi use the corridor, while the route is also important for passengers heading towards Mangaluru International Airport and other destinations.

Local residents depend on the road for daily travel, making delays and poor road conditions particularly disruptive.

The opening of one carriageway could therefore provide some immediate improvement, even though the entire bridge project would still need to be completed.

Poor road conditions add to commuter problems

While construction of the new bridge continues, the condition of roads along the Kulur stretch has emerged as another concern.

Potholes and craters have reportedly appeared at multiple locations, including on the bridges crossing the Phalguni river. The deteriorated road surface has made vehicle movement difficult and contributed to traffic congestion.

The issue has drawn criticism from local groups, who have called for urgent repairs to the highway and service roads.

The combination of bridge construction, damaged road surfaces and heavy traffic has created additional difficulties for motorists.

DYFI seeks immediate road repairs

The DYFI Panjimogaru unit has demanded immediate repairs to the damaged national highway and service roads in the area.

The organisation has alleged that poor road conditions are contributing to long traffic jams and making movement difficult for commuters.

According to the group, people travelling between Mangaluru and Udupi, airport-bound passengers and local residents are among those affected.

It has also alleged that accidents are occurring regularly along the affected stretches.

The demand for repairs comes as commuters await the completion of the new bridge.

NHAI explains difficulty in permanent repairs

Responding to concerns about the road surface, Azmi said the wearing-coat layer on parts of the bridge had been removed and would need to be levelled again.

He also said small potholes on the highway stretch were already being attended to.

However, permanent and extensive repairs are difficult during the monsoon because bitumen plants in the region are currently not operational, according to the NHAI official.

The availability of bitumen is important for carrying out large-scale asphalt repairs.

Bitumen plant expected to restart

NHAI is reportedly in contact with an agency whose bitumen plant is expected to restart shortly.

Once the plant becomes operational and bitumen is available, permanent repairs can be carried out on the affected road stretches.

Azmi said NHAI had already asphalted the affected sections before the monsoon, but further permanent repairs have been affected by the seasonal closure of bitumen plants.

This means motorists may have to continue dealing with temporary repairs in some areas until more extensive work becomes possible.

Kulur bridge has strategic importance

The new bridge is important not only for local commuters but also for the broader coastal Karnataka transport network.

NH-66 connects major towns and cities along the western coast and carries both passenger and commercial traffic.

Mangaluru is an important commercial and educational centre, while Udupi is a major tourism and pilgrimage destination.

A reliable and expanded bridge facility at Kulur is therefore expected to improve movement along this section of the highway.

Airport connectivity remains a concern

The Kulur route is also used by people travelling to and from Mangaluru International Airport.

Traffic congestion and poor road conditions can increase travel time for passengers heading to the airport.

Local residents and organisations have therefore specifically highlighted the difficulties faced by airport-bound travellers.

The opening of one carriageway could help reduce some of the pressure on the existing road network, although the overall impact will depend on traffic management and the condition of connecting roads.

Monsoon makes road repairs difficult

Coastal Karnataka experiences substantial rainfall during the monsoon, creating additional challenges for road maintenance.

Heavy rain can damage asphalt surfaces, worsen potholes and make construction activity more difficult.

In the Kulur area, these seasonal challenges have coincided with ongoing bridge construction.

The NHAI’s explanation regarding bitumen availability indicates that permanent repairs will have to be scheduled according to both weather conditions and the availability of materials.

Commuters await visible progress

For motorists who regularly use the Kulur stretch, the November timeline will be closely watched.

The project has already missed its original completion schedule, and commuters have experienced prolonged inconvenience during the construction period.

Opening even one carriageway could provide a visible sign of progress and potentially reduce traffic pressure.

However, commuters are likely to continue seeking clarity on the completion date for the entire six-lane bridge.

Service roads also need attention

The main bridge is not the only concern in the area.

Service roads around Kulur have also reportedly developed damaged stretches.

These roads are important for local traffic and access to nearby areas.

Poor service road conditions can force vehicles onto the main highway, adding to congestion.

Local demands have therefore included repairs to both the highway and service roads rather than focusing only on the new bridge.

Long-term benefit expected after completion

Once the entire six-lane bridge is completed, the additional capacity is expected to improve traffic movement along the Mangaluru-Udupi corridor.

The new structure should also provide better separation between through traffic and local movements when combined with the associated service road infrastructure.

For a rapidly developing coastal region, improved highway infrastructure is important for tourism, trade, logistics and everyday commuting.

The bridge is therefore expected to have a long-term impact beyond simply reducing traffic congestion at Kulur.

Economic importance of NH-66

NH-66 is an important transport corridor for Karnataka’s coastal districts.

The highway connects Mangaluru with Udupi and continues towards other major destinations along the western coast.

Goods vehicles, buses, private cars and other commercial traffic use the route regularly.

Delays on key stretches can therefore affect not only individual commuters but also the movement of goods and services.

Improving the Kulur crossing is consequently important for the wider regional economy.

Safety remains a priority

The concerns raised over potholes and damaged road surfaces also have a direct bearing on road safety.

Uneven surfaces can be particularly hazardous for two-wheelers, especially during rain when potholes may be difficult to identify.

Heavy traffic combined with damaged roads can further increase the risk of accidents.

Until permanent repairs are completed, motorists are likely to need greater caution while travelling through the affected stretches.

Construction and traffic management

Bridge construction on a busy national highway requires careful traffic management.

The existing bridges continue to carry traffic while the new structure is being built.

This creates challenges for construction teams as well as motorists.

Opening one carriageway could provide additional flexibility in managing traffic, but authorities will need to ensure that the transition is carried out safely.

Clear signage, lane management and maintenance of connecting roads will also be important.

November deadline under watch

The latest projection from NHAI gives commuters a specific target to look forward to.

If one carriageway is opened by the end of November, it could mark an important milestone in a project that began more than five years ago.

However, the remaining construction work will still need to progress before the entire bridge becomes operational.

The focus will therefore remain on whether the project maintains momentum in the coming months.

Need for permanent road repairs

While the bridge project is expected to address long-term connectivity requirements, immediate road repairs remain necessary.

Commuters cannot wait until the new bridge is fully completed to see improvements in road conditions.

NHAI has indicated that temporary attention is being given to smaller potholes, while permanent repairs will follow once bitumen supplies become available.

The effectiveness of these measures will be important during the remaining monsoon period.

Relief expected for commuters

The opening of the first carriageway could bring relief to thousands of commuters using the Mangaluru-Udupi corridor.

For regular travellers, even a partial improvement in bridge capacity could reduce delays and make journeys more predictable.

Airport passengers and commercial vehicles could also benefit if traffic flow improves.

However, the benefits will be fully realised only after the complete bridge and associated infrastructure are ready.

Conclusion

Mangaluru: One carriageway of the delayed six-lane Kulur bridge on NH-66 is likely to open by the end of November, according to NHAI Mangaluru project director Abdulla Javed Azmi. Slab work on the new bridge is currently under way, with the opening expected to provide some relief to commuters on the busy Mangaluru-Udupi route.

The project, taken up at an estimated cost of around ₹70 crore, began in 2021 and was originally scheduled for completion within 18 months. Delays have since pushed the project well beyond its initial deadline.

Meanwhile, poor road conditions, potholes and traffic congestion continue to trouble commuters around Kulur. NHAI has said small potholes are being addressed, while permanent repairs will be undertaken once bitumen plants resume operations after the monsoon-related shutdown.

The proposed November opening of one carriageway is therefore being closely watched by commuters and residents, who are hoping the long-delayed project will finally begin delivering relief while work continues towards full completion.