Dry spell helps NHAI partially refurbish Surathkal-B C Road Port Connectivity Road

NHAI partially completes renewal of Port Connectivity Road on Surathkal-B C Road section, tackling waterlogging and road maintenance issues.

The week-long dry spell has helped the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to partially complete the total renewal of the Port Connectivity Road on the Surathkal-B C Road section comprising portions of National Highway 66 and NH 75.

While the total renewal of the 11 k.m. stretch of the 37.42 k.m. Port Connectivity Road, built by the New Mangalore Port Road Company Ltd., was launched on April 24 by Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta. Rains lashing the region from May third week hampered the renewal work. M/s Mugrodi Constructions had bagged the contract for total renewal at an estimated cost of ₹28.58 crore.

The NHAI, working on behalf of the NMPRL, had commenced milling (scraping) the identified highway surface from NITK-Surathkal and relayed bitumen concrete on certain stretch; but it had to stop the work mid-way following torrential rains. Consequently, road users, particularly two-wheeler riders, had a tough time negotiating the stretch even as potholes and craters continued to haunt them along the stretch.

The Authority resumed the renewal work after the rains subsided from last one week and completed laying bitumen concrete on the milled stretch of about 1.5 km from Tadambail towards the City, according to an official. It may not further mill the balance stretch as the rains were expected to resume in the coming week and complete the work soon after the Monsoon.

Clearing drains

The improper maintenance of the Port Road over the years had resulted in the shoulder drains remaining clogged thereby preventing free flow of rainwater and damaging the carriageway surface.

Along with the renewal of the carriageways, the NHAI has now started clearing the drains, particularly on the New Mangalore Port stretch between Baikampady and Kulur.