Mangaluru: With the commencement of work on the Road under Bridges (RUBs) at Mahakalipadpu has cut the direct access to Mangaluru city from the Kerala side on NH-66 at Jeppinamogaru. The Jeppinamogaru–Morgans Gate was an easy access point for private vehicles from Talapady, Konaje, and Ullal to the city. For many decades, people have been fighting for RUBs at Mahakalipadpu, where vehicles were forced to wait for a long time for trains to move at the level crossing.
With the Southern Railway starting the construction of RUBs, this problem will be solved. However, access to the city from Jeppinamogaru will remain completely closed until the work is completed. The Southern Railway has commenced the work on the construction of the twin RUBs with the box-pushing method under two railway lines – Shoranur-Mangalore Junction and Shoranur-Mangaluru Central. The work is expected to be completed within a working year. The district administration has approved to close of the road to vehicles. Excavation has begun to lay the foundation for the concrete boxes which will be cast in situ. Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel laid the foundation for the RUBs in March 2022. While RUBs will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 49.95 crore, approach roads will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 19.87 crore.
The MP said the RUB project was delayed due to litigation in the High Court. “This is the fallout of several deliberations I had with officials of Southern Railway in the past. MSCL has already paid Rs 30.07 crore and the work will be executed by Southern Railway. Meanwhile, Rs 19 crore will be sanctioned for the development of the approach road from my MPLAD,” Kateel added.
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