Govt. approves DPR preparation to widen Mani-Sampaje stretch of NH 275 into four-lane

MP Captain Brijesh Chowta secures approval for widening Mani-Mysuru NH 275 into four-lanes, boosting road infrastructure in Dakshina Kannada.

The State government has approved preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) to widen Mani-Mysuru National Highway 275 between Mani and Sampaje in Dakshina Kannada district into four-lanes with paved shoulders, said Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta on Monday, February 24.

In a statement, Capt. Chowta said he had met Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi during the latter’s visit to Mangaluru last week and impressed upon him the urgent need for widening the busy highway into four-lane. The MP had told the Minister that the proposal for DPR preparation had been in limbo for sometime and urged him to expedite the process.

Responding to his plea, the Minister directed the department to approve the proposal for DPR to widen the 71.6 km stretch. PWD’s principal secretary wrote to the Chief Engineer of departments’ national highway division approving the DPR proposal by empanelling a consultant at an estimated cost of ₹3.19 crore. Capt. Chowta said tenders should be invited soon to choose an agency for preparing the DPR.

Appreciating Karnataka PWD for its gesture, the MP said widening projects of several key highways in the district, including NH 75 between B.C. Road and Addahole, NH 73 between Punjalakatte and Charmadi, are under progress. The approval of DPR for widening NH 275 would strengthen the road infrastructure in the region, he said.

Capt. Chowta said NH 275 has been a key highway connecting the district with southern parts of Karnataka, including Kodagu, Mysuru, and Bengaluru. Its widening would boost tourism, trade and commerce and other allied activities. He hoped that the widening would be expedited with the involvement of MLAs of the region.

Though the National Highways Authority of India had sanctioned widening of NH 275 into four lane in 2022, the proposal was in limbo for various reasons. As the old proposal did not move forward, Capt. Chowta made a fresh proposal to the Karnataka PWD in January this year.