Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel announced that work on developing a vehicular overpass at Nanthoor, the most congested intersection of three national highways and another major road in the city, will commence soon. This development follows the clearance of litigations related to land acquisition. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has finalized the tender for the project. Additionally, Kateel stated that the development of a vehicular overpass at KPT Junction will also begin shortly.
During a program organized by the Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists Association, Kateel explained that the development of the vehicular overpass at Nanthoor had been delayed due to litigation related to land acquisition. With the legal hurdles now cleared, the acquisition process is expected to be completed soon. The proposed vehicular overpass at KPT Junction, aimed at decongesting traffic, will also be initiated shortly. Despite the completion of the tender process, the project at KPT Junction faced delays due to opposition from environmentalists concerning the felling of trees and the need for a design change in the vehicular overpass. Consequently, the work is anticipated to commence within two months.
Furthermore, Kateel stated that the construction of the 1 km-long flyover on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru NH at Kalladka is expected to be completed by May 2025. He added that the service roads at Kalladka would be concreted shortly. Regarding the much-anticipated Shiradi Ghat Tunnel project, Kateel said that, according to the new Detailed Project Report (DPR), the project would be undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 2,500 crore. The project will include three tunnels, with the remaining stretch featuring flyovers. The outgoing MP also expressed his gratitude towards the BJP for providing him with opportunities in his political career.