Police open underpass of Thokkottu flyover

Mangaluru: Commuters along NH66 from Mangaluru towards Kerala have received temporary relief after Mangaluru traffic police got the underpass of the still under-construction Thokkottu Flyover opened for vehicles coming from Konaje to the city.

With the flyover work begining since 2011, vehicles coming towards Mangaluru from Konaje had to left turn at Thokkottu Junction and then take a U-turn at Ullal Cross to continue back to the city. Earlier, vehicles used to join NH 66 through Thokkottu bus stand, but since it gave rise to frequent traffic jams, the police had to put a halt to this route.

During peak hours, it used to be a nightmare to reach the city taking left turn at Thokkottu Junction and then a U-turn at Ullal Cross, recalls a resident of Derlakatte.

After the underpass was opened to vehicles from Konaje, piling up of vehicles on NH 66 has reduced considerably. Vehicles can now directly enter the underpass from Konaje Road and take a right turn towards the city, observed Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M. Manjunatha Shetty.

After multiple warnings and protests, NHAI and concessionaire Navayuga Udupi Tollway Pvt. Ltd. have promised to complete the Thokkottu Flyover work by this December and the Pumpwell work by March next.