Foundation stone laid for RuB at Mahakalipadpu

The long-pending demand of the construction of the road underbridge (RuB) at Jeppu Mahakalipadpu railway-level crossing became a reality with Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel laying foundation stone for the same on Sunday.

The work on the RuB is taken up under Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL). The Mahakalipadpu Road is the main thoroughfare towards the southern parts of the city as well as Kerala -- on NH 66 -- and witnesses heavy traffic movement.

The level crossing gate at Mahakalipadpu on Mangaluru-Ullal railway line, which gets frequently closed to allow train movement, hinders traffic movement. Further, the road is narrow and traffic congestion on the stretch is normal.

The RuB will reduce the distance between the National Highway 66 bypass and Mangaluru city. The RuB, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 49.95 crore, is expected to complete within 12 months (excluding monsoon).

The MP also initiated the work on an approach road that will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 19.87 crore.

Kateel said that the RuB project was delayed due to litigation in High Court. “After several deliberations with the Southern Railway, the work on the RuB was approved. The MSCL has already paid Rs 30.07 crore to the Railways and the work will be executed by the Southern Railway through Mangaluru-based Mugrodi Constructions. A sum of Rs 19 crore will be sanctioned for the development of the approach road from the MPLAD fund,” the MP said.

Mangalore South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath said that the project including RuB and an approach road requires 20 acres of land to be acquired.

Out of 20 landowners, 18 have already agreed to hand over the land and we will convince others too. Thukaram Shetty, a land owner, has agreed to hand over 25 cents of his land for the project, Kamath said.

The MP, MLA and Mayor Premananda Shetty felicitated Thukaram Shetty for handing over 25 cents of land.

On the project

Two four-lane RuBs will be constructed across Ullal – Mangaluru Junction and Ullal – Mangaluru Central railway lines.

The RuBs that connect the National Highway 66 from Jappinamogaru to business areas of Mangaladevi, Pandeshwar, Hampankatta and Bunder will reduce traffic congestion on the stretch.

At present, the road is 4.5 to 6 metres in width on the stretch. Under the new project, the road will be converted into a four-lane concrete stretch of 18-metre width with median, streetlights and stormwater drains.

The RuB will be nine-metre wide and 5.209-metre in height.