Portion of Underpass on NH 66 at Santhekatte in Udupi Caves in Due to Heavy Rain

A portion of an under-construction underpass on National Highway 66 at Kallianapura-Santhekatte Junction near Udupi caved in due to torrential rains on Wednesday night. Three metres of the 8.5-m-wide carriageway on the excavated sides at the project site were barricaded to prevent further landslip due to vehicular movement. Underpass cuttings are also covered with plastic and tarpaulin sheets to avert landslips due to heavy rains.

Vehicular movement on the widened service roads between Udupi and Kundapura, however, continued for the time being with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Udupi district police reducing the width of the carriageways. Udupi district police have prepared ‘plan B’ in the event of complete disruption of vehicular movement at the site. Heavy vehicles may be diverted from Kolalagiri Cross to Santhekatte Ambagilu via Manipal.