Raviprasad Kamila/The Hindu

• The proposal has been sent to Union Government
• It envisages conversion of a 91.2-km stretch into four-lane
• The move is expected to trigger growth on outskirts of city

Mangalore, Mar 18: The State Government has sent a proposal to the Union Government to construct a 91.2 km four-lane bypass from Mulki to Thokkottu via Kateel, Bajpe, Polali, B.C. Road, Panemangalore, Mudipu and Mangalore University.

The proposed bypass is expected to not only provide better connectivity between Udupi and Bangalore but also to fuel the growth of the city outskirts as it may attract more Information Technology-based companies.

This proposal is aimed at easing the traffic congestion on national highway 17 between Mulki and Thokkottu (near Mangalore) and national highway 48 between Mangalore and B.C. Road, sources told The Hindu.

The project involves conversion of stretches of different State highways from Mulki to B. C. Road covering a distance of 58 km via Kinnigoli, Kateel, Bajpe, Kaikamba and Polali. The second stretch of 5.2 km length is from B.C. Road to Panemangalore on NH 48. The third stretch of 27 km is the major district road (MDR) between Panemangalore and Thokkottu via Mudipu and Mangalore University.

The proposal, sent through the State Public Works Department, is before the Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, sources said.

N. Gokulram, chairman, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Delhi, visited Mangalore on March 14 to assess the feasibility of this project and took stock of the four-lane work between Surathkal and B.C. Road.

Mr. Gokulram held discussions with Deputy Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao, authorities of Mangalore City Corporation, Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (MESCOM) and NHAI.

On the utility of the bypass, sources said that the area between Thokkottu and Mudipu on Thokkottu-Panemangalore road had emerged as education hub of Mangalore. “Besides Mangalore University, one engineering college, three medical colleges and associated hospitals, two dental colleges have come up on this road. A prominent Information Technology company has opened its second unit in Mangalore near Mudipu. When this road becomes a four-lane stretch, more IT companies, colleges and industries are likely to set up their establishments in the region. This is likely to create more direct and indirect employment opportunities. The real estate business in this region is set to boom, probably making the purchase of property in the region unaffordable to common man,” sources said.

When the State highways such as number 70, 67 and 101 were developed, the area between B.C. Road and Mulki via Kaikamba, Bajpe could witness many developments. This road would pass by the airport as it would be within five km from the proposed new terminal building of the airport, the sources said.

This road will serve as a ring road covering Mulki, Mangalore, Thokkottu, Panemangalore, B.C.Road, Polali and Bajpe.

The Udupi-bound traffic from Bangalore will be able to divert at B.C. Road and reach Mulki via Bajpe and vice versa. “Then, Mangalore city will have to bear with traffic plying between Kerala and Udupi, according to sources.