The Kalladka flyover on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway 75 was informally opened to vehicular movement on June 2, 2025.
This partial operationalisation, specifically for traffic moving from Mani (Bengaluru) towards B. C. Road (Mangaluru), offers a much-anticipated reprieve for thousands of commuters who have endured severe bottlenecks and arduous journeys on this critical stretch for over four years. The move is a testament to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)’s responsiveness, particularly with the early arrival of the monsoon season looming.
The 2.1-kilometre Kalladka flyover forms an integral part of the broader four-laning project of NH 75 between B. C. Road and Adda Hole. This wider initiative aims to enhance the efficiency and safety of one of Karnataka’s most vital economic arteries, linking the coastal region with the state capital. Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta confirmed the progress on the overall project, stating that 85.63% of the work between B.C. Road and Periyashanthi (41.52 km out of 48.48 km) has been completed, while the Periyashanthi-Adda Hole stretch has seen 95.17% of its 15.13 km length (14.4 km) finished.
The partial opening of the Kalladka flyover has brought palpable relief to road users, who have long voiced their frustrations over the challenging conditions on this particular stretch. The strategic decision by the NHAI to expedite this partial opening was directly influenced by concerns over the impending monsoon. MP Chowta had actively urged the NHAI to consider this measure to mitigate the inevitable disruption and hardship caused by heavy rains on incomplete road infrastructure. This proactive approach aims to minimise traffic snarls and improve safety during the wet season.
Further demonstrating a commitment to addressing perennial monsoon challenges, MP Chowta had also instructed the NHAI to tackle the persistent water-logging issue at Thumbay, a critical point situated between B.C. Road and Mangaluru on NH 75. In response, the NHAI is actively constructing a pipe culvert at this location. This engineering solution is designed to efficiently drain rainwater, thereby preventing the severe inundation that has historically plagued this section of the highway, ensuring smoother traffic flow even during intense downpours. Such climate-resilient infrastructure is vital for ensuring uninterrupted economic activity and equitable access for all citizens.
The informal opening on Monday morning saw the presence of several key figures, including former MLAs Rukmayya Poojary and K. Padmanabha Kottary, Sri Rama Vidya Kendra founder Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, and Mahendra Singh, project manager of KNR Constructions, the contractor responsible for the project. While vehicular movement has commenced on one carriageway, the NHAI is expected to proceed with the construction of the service road beneath the flyover on the Mani-B.C. Road stretch. The gradual, phased completion of such large-scale infrastructure projects, coupled with proactive measures to address environmental challenges like monsoon flooding, is critical for the long-term sustainability and operational efficiency of urban and regional transportation networks, directly contributing to the well-being and connectivity of the population.
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