Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said that the Union ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH) has given in-principle approval to hand over the Surathkal-BC Road stretch of the national highway to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). MORTH has sanctioned Rs 26 crore to maintain about 11.1km of national highway from Surathkal to APMC, Kuloor to AJ Hospital, and Nanthoor to Padil. Funds for this maintenance work have been transferred to NHAI. The work is expected to begin by April 15, and is likely to be completed before the onset of the monsoon.

The stretch of the national highway was constructed and maintained by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) called New Mangalore Port Road Company Ltd. Calling this a peculiar arrangement, the MP said that due to a lack of service roads and proper drains, the stretch caused inconvenience to people.

The MP said that “I have requested the Union minister and the secretary of the ministry to disband the SPV and hand over the stretch to NHAI. When all national highways are maintained directly by NHAI, this stretch also needs to be maintained so. They have agreed to do the needful.