Road users facing great hardships owing to incomplete NH 169 four-laning work between Karkala and Mala

Thousands of road users on the Karkala-Sringeri/Dharmasthala tourism circuit are facing considerable hardships owing to the frequent ‘take diversion’ boards on the 15.2 km stretch between Pulkeri Junction (Karkala) and Mala Forest Gate on National Highway 169. This is posing a grave threat, particularly during nights and heavy rains.

Being undertaken at an estimated cost of ₹177.94 crore under grants from the Union Road Transport Ministry, the four-lane work on the Karkala-Mala stretch of Mangaluru-Solapur NH 169 has remained incomplete. The stretch, apart from connecting Karkala and Guruvayankere on Mangaluru-Chikkamagaluru National Highway 73, is frequented by tourists visiting the coastal circuit and the Malnad circuit around Sringeri. So, there is considerable movement of private vehicles here.

Madhusudhan Gowda from Bengaluru who had stopped for a coffee break at Bajagoli on October 21 said he visits tourists attractions on the coast, including Kukke Subrahmanya, Dharmasthala, Karkala, Mangaluru, and Sringeri once or twice a year. Frequent ‘take diversion’ signs and the absence of any road furniture, including white markings, on the highway between Karkala and Mala makes driving a nightmarish experience. “The stretch is wide and beautiful with adequate land available for widening. Yet, the government’s apathy towards completing the four-lane project is appalling,” he lamented.

Though final land acquisition notices were issued to owners and compensation was paid, owners are unwilling to hand over their lands as the MLA and district administration have assured them of an enhanced compensation
| Photo Credit:
ANIL KUMAR SASTRY

Land acquisition issues

Stating that about 80% of the project work was complete, a senior engineer from the National Highways Division of the Karnataka Public Works Department said that the revenue department did not appear keen on making lands available.

Though final land acquisition notices were issued to owners and compensation was paid, owners are unwilling to hand over their lands as the MLA and district administration have assured them of an enhanced compensation, he rued. Moreover, the department has realigned the project on three stretches — near Pulkeri Junction, Kadari, and Mala. The Assistant Commissioner, Kundapura, who is the Special Land Acquisition Officer, is yet to make lands available on these stretches, the official said.

Assistant Commissioner S.R. Rashmi told The Hindu that the Public Works Department should give details of owners unwilling to leave their lands, following which the administration would undertake forceful eviction. For the realigned stretches, the final acquisition notice is yet to be issued, she added.

Gadkari’s promise

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had in December told Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary that the four-lane stretch would be ready in February 2025. The physical progress, however, remains as it was since December.