Mangaluru: All identified black spots on the National Highway stretch from Kundapur to Talapady will have safety measures soon as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun work to provide service roads and foot overbridges (FoBs) along the NH-66 stretch.Officials said that the NHAI has identified 13.2 km of black spots on the NH-66 stretch where measures will be taken on priority to reduce accidents. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has approved the construction of service roads on both sides of the highway, as well as FoBs for pedestrians at identified locations, keeping in mind road safety, NHAI site engineer Muhammed Nasir Hussain told TOI.An agency has been selected to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) to improve traffic flow along the Kundapur – Talapady stretch. The DPR will include proposals for construction of service roads on highway stretches where such works have not yet been taken up. New flyovers and vehicular underpasses, wherever necessary, will also be part of the DPR. In total, the NHAI must construct approximately 52 km of service roads along the highway, he said.Service roads will be provided at Koteshwara (0.83 km), Beejadi to Thekkatte (3.5 km), Saligrama (1.02 km), Ambagilu (1 km), Balaipade (0.325 km), Balaipade to Udyavara (1.645 km), Bada Yermal (2 km), Hejmady (0.75 km), Mulki (0.5 km), Padupanambur (0.31 km), Haleyangadi (0.55 km) and Beeri (0.7 km).The NHAI also has plans to construct six FoBs at identified locations along the NH-66. Officials said FoBs will be developed in Brahmavar near Mahesh Hospital, Nittur in Udupi, Thenka Yermal, Bappanadu, near Bappanadu Temple in Mulki, Mukka Junction and Gorigudda near Fisheries College in Mangaluru, to reduce accidents involving pedestrians.The NHAI also has plans to construct a vehicular overpass and develop service roads at Katapady to ease traffic congestion. The absence of service roads has severely impacted locals from Kundapur to Talapady. Limited access points often force drivers to take lengthy detours for nearby travel. Meanwhile, the lack of dedicated service roads encourages motorists to violate one-way traffic rules, leading to increased accidents and traffic congestion, an official said.
