The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a Rs 72-crore infrastructure project aimed at constructing over 13 km of service roads and six foot overbridges (FoBs) along the NH-66 corridor between Kundapur and Talapady in Karnataka. The initiative responds to rising safety concerns and recurring accidents affecting pedestrians and motorists in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
Construction will begin post-monsoon, with service roads planned at Koteshwara (0.83 km), Beejadi-Thekkatte (3.5 km), Saligrama (1.02 km), Ambagilu (1 km), Balaipade-Udyavara (1.97 km), Bada Yermal (2 km), Hejamady (0.75 km), Mulky (0.5 km), Padupanambur (0.31 km), Haleyangadi (0.55 km), and Beeri (0.7 km).
Six FoBs will be installed at Mahesh Hospital (Brahmavar), Nittur (Udupi), Thenka Yermal, Bappanadu Temple (Mulky), Mukka Junction, and Yekkur near the Fisheries College in Mangaluru to ensure safe pedestrian movement. A new service road section between Mahesh Hospital and Shamli Lawn in Brahmavar will also be added.
NHAI officials confirmed that safety infrastructure will be prioritized, with the project initiated following recommendations from local administration and law enforcement agencies.
