Udupi and Dakshina Kannada are set to receive crucial road safety enhancements as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) approves a 26-kilometre service road and six foot overbridges along National Highway 66. This significant infrastructure upgrade comes in response to a series of fatal accidents and mounting public protests, underscoring a critical commitment to safer and more equitable urban mobility. The initiative aims to protect lives and streamline traffic flow, contributing to the development of sustainable cities.
The imperative for enhanced road safety infrastructure gained considerable urgency following a tragic incident in Brahmavar, where a schoolchild lost their life due to a speeding vehicle near an educational institution. This devastating event ignited widespread public outcry and a sustained campaign for improved road facilities in accident-prone zones along the highway. The community’s persistent appeals have culminated in this decisive action by the NHAI, highlighting the responsiveness of authorities to citizen concerns regarding public safety and well-being.
In a comprehensive response to these developments, the NHAI has sanctioned the construction of service roads at 12 distinct locations and six new foot overbridges along the Kundapura–Nanthoor stretch of NH66. Additionally, a 500-metre-long vehicular overpass at Katapady has also received approval, further enhancing connectivity and safety. These multi-faceted interventions are designed to segregate local traffic from high-speed highway movement, thereby reducing the risk of collisions and providing safer crossing points for pedestrians, particularly vulnerable groups such as students and local residents.
The approved service road sections in Udupi district include critical stretches such as Koteshwara Bypass to Bijadi Cross, Bijadi to Tekkatte, Tekkatte to Saligrama, Brahmavar, Ambagilu, Balayipade, Udyavara, Bada Yermal, and Hejamady. In Dakshina Kannada district, service roads have been greenlit at Mulki, Padupanambur, Haleangady, and Beeri. The six newly approved foot overbridges will be strategically constructed in front of Mahesh Hospital, Brahmavar; Nittur, Udupi; Thenka Yermal; Bappanadu Temple, Mulki; Srinivas College, Mukka; and Goregudde, addressing specific high-risk pedestrian crossing points.
These infrastructural improvements represent a vital investment in human safety and regional development. By providing dedicated service roads, the projects will facilitate smoother local access and reduce congestion on the main highway, contributing to fuel efficiency and reduced vehicular emissions, aligning with zero net carbon objectives. The foot overbridges will ensure gender-neutral access and safety for pedestrians, particularly women and children, who often face disproportionate risks on busy thoroughfares. The collective impact of these projects is expected to create a more secure, efficient, and equitable transportation network, fostering sustainable growth and enhancing the quality of life for communities along NH66.
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