Udupi: Udupi–Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary has urged the Udupi district administration to speed up the land-acquisition process for the widening of National Highway 169A, as pending cases continue to affect progress on the project.
The widening of NH-169A is aimed at improving connectivity between the coastal region and the Malnad area. The highway connects Udupi with Hebri, Agumbe and Thirthahalli, while the Malpe–Agumbe stretch is being taken up for widening.
Poojary has been raising the issue of land acquisition and has previously inspected portions of the project, particularly the Malpe–Coastal Bypass stretch, where acquisition-related delays had slowed construction activity.
Land acquisition remains a key hurdle
The acquisition of private land has emerged as one of the issues affecting the pace of NH-169A widening.
During an earlier inspection of the Malpe–Coastal Bypass section, Poojary was informed that 227 land-acquisition cases were involved in the stretch. Compensation had been provided in 133 cases, while several other cases were at different stages of processing.
The MP had asked officials and contractors to begin construction wherever land acquisition had already been completed instead of waiting for the entire stretch to become available.
The approach was intended to ensure that completed acquisition did not remain unused while other cases were being processed.
Malpe-Agumbe section being widened
The NH-169A project includes the widening of the Malpe-Agumbe section. The highway is an important road link connecting the coastal belt around Udupi with the interior areas towards Agumbe and Thirthahalli.
The route also serves commuters, tourists and vehicles travelling towards Malpe harbour and other destinations.
NH-169A extends from the Malpe area of Udupi towards Thirthahalli and passes through places including Udupi, Manipal, Perdoor, Hebri and Agumbe. The highway has several stretches where road width has historically been limited.
The widening is therefore expected to provide a broader road corridor along the identified stretches and improve movement between the coastal and Malnad regions.
Compensation has been a concern
Landowners affected by the widening project have also raised concerns over compensation.
During the earlier inspection, some landowners reportedly said the prevailing market value of land was considerably higher than the compensation being offered under the acquisition process. They sought a revision of the compensation amount.
Poojary had said he would take up the matter with the State Government through the Deputy Commissioner along with Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna.
The compensation issue is significant because delays in settling acquisition cases can affect the availability of continuous land for road construction.
Construction to proceed where land is available
Officials have been asked to ensure that construction activity progresses in stretches where the required land has already been acquired.
During his earlier inspection, Poojary had directed contractors and National Highways officials to commence work on the acquired portions, including the stretch between Mogaveera Sabha Bhavan in Malpe and Kalmadi.
This strategy allows construction to proceed in available sections while the administration works on pending acquisition cases.
The latest direction to hasten land acquisition comes against this backdrop, with the administration being asked to coordinate the process so that unresolved cases do not hold up the wider project.
Importance of NH-169A for Udupi
NH-169A is an important transport link for Udupi district because it connects the coastal region with the Western Ghats and further towards Shivamogga district.
The highway serves both local traffic and long-distance movement between the coastal and Malnad regions. Its route also passes through areas that attract tourists, particularly the Agumbe region.
A wider road corridor could improve traffic movement and connectivity, although the project involves land acquisition and construction challenges across different sections.
The highway also links with other important roads in the region, making the widening significant for movement between Udupi, Manipal, Hebri, Agumbe and Thirthahalli.
Administration asked to coordinate the process
The progress of a road-widening project depends not only on construction agencies but also on timely completion of land acquisition, compensation and related administrative procedures.
Poojary’s latest direction focuses on accelerating these processes so that construction agencies can make use of land already cleared for the project.
The administration will have to coordinate with landowners, revenue officials and National Highway authorities to resolve pending cases and facilitate further construction.
With NH-169A serving as a key connection between coastal Karnataka and the Malnad region, the pace of land acquisition will remain an important factor in determining how quickly the widening project progresses.