A long-delayed highway bridge critical to Mangaluru’s coastal connectivity has entered a decisive phase, with authorities pushing to complete core structural work ahead of the southwest monsoon. The six-lane bridge at Kuloor on National Highway 66, spanning the Phalguni river, is now being fast-tracked as part of a broader effort to stabilise freight and commuter movement along one of Karnataka’s most economically active corridors.
The project holds significance well beyond local traffic relief. NH-66 is a vital north–south spine linking port infrastructure, industrial zones and urban centres along India’s western coast. Delays at Kuloor have contributed to congestion, logistics inefficiencies and safety risks, particularly during peak monsoon months when river flow and visibility affect traffic operations. According to officials overseeing the project, construction activity has resumed momentum after earlier disruptions linked to contractor-side financial constraints. Structural elements such as bridge piers and pier caps are nearing completion, enabling the project to transition into the next engineering stage girder launching. Dozens of pre-cast girders have already been fabricated and stored nearby, positioning the project for accelerated execution if weather and coordination align.
Once completed, the bridge will significantly expand carrying capacity at a known bottleneck. Designed with a wide multi-lane carriageway and a dedicated service road, the structure is expected to separate local and through traffic more efficiently. This design approach is increasingly viewed by urban transport planners as essential for reducing conflict points, improving road safety and lowering vehicle idling emissions an important consideration for climate-resilient highway design in coastal cities. The redevelopment also includes the rationalisation of older infrastructure. Existing narrow bridges at Kuloor are expected to be phased out from heavy traffic use, with pedestrian and service access realigned alongside the new structure. However, associated works such as service roads and utility relocation remain dependent on the timely completion of the main carriageway, underscoring the tight sequencing required in linear infrastructure projects.
For Mangaluru’s economy, the bridge has implications for port-linked logistics, daily commuting patterns and real estate development along the NH-66 corridor. Improved road reliability can shorten travel times between industrial hubs and residential zones, while also supporting safer evacuation and emergency access during extreme weather events a growing concern for coastal urban regions.
Officials involved in project monitoring have cautioned that delays extending into the monsoon season could push completion timelines significantly, given constraints on river-based construction during heavy rainfall. The coming months are therefore viewed as critical, not only for finishing the bridge but for restoring confidence in infrastructure delivery along the western coastal highway network.
As construction enters its final stages, the focus remains on execution discipline, inter-agency coordination and minimising disruption to daily road users factors that will ultimately determine whether the Kuloor bridge delivers its promised urban and economic dividends.
Also Read:
Mangaluru NH66 Six Lane Bridge Nears Deadline
