DPR study begins for road safety works on NH 66 between Talapady and Kundapura

Vehicular underpass work in progress on the Kanyakumari-Panvel National Highway 66 between Talapady and Kundapura on June 19 at Katpadi in Udupi district. | Photo Credit: ANIL KUMAR SASTRY Kota Srinivas Poojary, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP, on Sunday said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has commissioned a detailed project report (DPR) for road safety improvement measures on the Kanyakumari-Panvel National Highway 66 between Talapady in Dakshina Kannada district and Kundapura in Udupi district.In a statement here, Mr. Poojary said Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari gave this information in response to his question in the Lok Sabha recently. He said the consultant tasked with preparing the DPR commenced the study on May 14 and the report is expected shortly.Mr. Gadkari said the scope of the DPR includes the assessment and provision of service roads, flyovers, underpasses, and other road safety measures based on traffic density, roadside development, road safety requirements, technical feasibility, and the availability of land.52 km service roadsThe NHAI had proposed to the Ministry the construction of service roads over a length of 52 km between Talapady and Kundapura, excluding the 17-km stretch between Nantoor and NITK-Surathkal. Service roads are already present over a length of about 21 km in bits and pieces.The authority had also proposed constructing flyovers at key junctions along the stretch. The proposal included flyovers at least four places — Mulki, Padubidri, Brahmavara, and Kota. The NHAI told the Ministry that land acquisition for service roads and flyovers was not an issue as it was already in possession of the required land.Meanwhile, the authority commissioned a vehicular overpass (VOP) at Kallianapura-Santhekatte Junction and a vehicular underpass at Ambalapady Junction in Udupi district recently. Work on another VOP is in progress at Katpady Junction. Published - August 09, 2026 08:54 pm IST