Udupi/Dakshina Kannada – In a landmark move aimed at enhancing road safety and sustainable urban mobility, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved the construction of 26 km of service roads and six foot overbridges along National Highway 66 across Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.

This infrastructure upgrade comes in direct response to a rise in fatal accidents and mounting public protests, most notably following the tragic death of a schoolchild in Brahmavar. The incident near an educational institution spurred widespread outrage, prompting a community-led campaign for safer road infrastructure.

Addressing these concerns, the NHAI will now develop service roads at 12 strategic locations and build foot overbridges across accident-prone zones along the Kundapura–Nanthoor stretch of NH66. A 500-metre vehicular overpass at Katapady has also received approval.

In Udupi district, key service road stretches include:

  • Koteshwara Bypass to Bijadi Cross

  • Bijadi to Tekkatte

  • Tekkatte to Saligrama

  • Brahmavar, Ambagilu, Balayipade

  • Udyavara, Bada Yermal, Hejamady

    • In Dakshina Kannada, service roads are approved at:

    • Mulki

  • Padupanambur

  • Haleangady

  • Beeri

    • Six new foot overbridges will be built at:

    • Mahesh Hospital, Brahmavar

  • Nittur, Udupi

  • Thenka Yermal

  • Bappanadu Temple, Mulki

  • Srinivas College, Mukka

  • Goregudde

    • These measures aim to separate local and highway traffic, minimize pedestrian risk, and reduce emissions by improving traffic flow. The foot overbridges are designed to ensure safe, gender-neutral access, especially benefiting students, elderly citizens, and women.

    This initiative marks a crucial step toward building safer, greener, and more inclusive transport infrastructure in coastal Karnataka.