After failing many deadlines, the additional road overbridges (RoBs) on NH 66 and NH 75 at Baikampady and B.C. Road are likely to be thrown open for traffic by April-end, thereby ending the woes of motorists travelling the busy national highways around Mangaluru.
The RoBs are part of National Highways Authority of India’s Port Connectivity project under which both the national highways were made four-lane between Surathkal and B.C. Road. Even though four-lane roads were commissioned about five years ago, delay in the construction of additional RoBs on the Railway Lines had resulted in traffic bottlenecks at Baikampady and B.C. Road.
The additional RoB at B.C. Road, on Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway crossing the Mangaluru-Hassan Railway line is almost ready, said sources in the National Highways Authority of India that is executing the project. Workers have been giving final touches for the bridge as well as approach roads and the RoB should be opened in about 20 days, they said.
This RoB is expected to considerably ease traffic movement on the busy highway by facilitating separate bi-directional traffic. NHAI has left sufficient space beneath the bridge to accommodate two more rail lines in addition to the existing three lines, sources said.
As far as Baikampady RoB is concerned, the Railways has to certify the seventh and the last girder of the bridge, which is expected shortly. Concrete slabs are kept ready and once the certification is given, they would be placed on the girders. Meanwhile, workers are busy giving finishing touches to the approach roads for the bridge.
The Baikampady RoB also features a twin cell vehicular underpass facilitating vehicular movement between New Mangalore Port and Baikampady industrial area and Meenakaliya. These underpasses avoid vehicles criss-crossing of vehicles between the port and the industrial area thereby creating traffic jams.
While the twin cells are already incorporated under the new RoB, they have to be built under the existing RoB. This work would be undertaken after the new bridge is opened by closing the existing bridge temporarily, sources said.
RoB on Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway near B.C. Road is almost ready
RoB on Kochi-Panvel National Highway near Baikampady to get ready by April-end
Existing RoB at Baikampady to be closed temporarily after the new RoB is opened
Closure is to facilitate construction of twin cell-underpasses
