NH 75 Upgrade Near Completion After Years of Delays and Legal Hurdles

Final Timeline Set for 63.6-Kilometer Highway Expansion

The long-delayed transformation of the B.C. Road-Addahole stretch on National Highway 75 is entering its final phase. According to a recent statement by Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in the Lok Sabha, the &rupee;1,500 crore infrastructure project is slated for full completion by April 2027. This update follows a formal inquiry by Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta regarding the slow progress of the 63.61 km four-lane initiative which has been active since 2017.

Government data reveals that Package 1, spanning from Addahole to Periyashanthi (15.13 km), is currently 98% complete and expected to be fully commissioned by March 30. The more extensive Package 2, a 48.48 km segment between Periyashanthi and B.C. Road, reached 94.21% completion and is scheduled for an April 30, 2027, finish line.

Overcoming Structural and Legal Stumbling Blocks

Several bottlenecks have hindered the project across a 1.3 km section, notably near Neerakatte. Minister Gadkari identified several factors for the rescheduled timelines, including:

• Legal stays affecting the construction of specific elephant underpasses.
• Evolving demands for property compensation.
• Additional engineering requirements cited post-initial planning.

To mitigate these delays during the monsoon season, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) conducted bituminous resurfacing and installed safety signage to maintain traffic flow. Recent field reports also show NHAI crews active at Kalladka, addressing pothole issues on the 2.1 km flyover that opened a year ago.

Infrastructure Status and Project History

In Nellyadi Town, structural progress remains mixed. Gadkari confirmed that while one small vehicular underpass is operational, a larger underpass and a nearby flyover have one carriageway temporarily closed despite being nearly finished. However, 2.54 km of concrete service roads are now open to the public on both sides. The 2.1 km Kalladka Flyover and its 5.99 km of service roads are also fully integrated into the traffic network.

The history of this project spans nearly a decade. Originally valued at &rupee;821 crore in 2017, the initial contract with Larsen and Toubro was foreclosed due to significant changes in the scope of work. In 2021, the project was split: S. M. Autade Pvt., Ltd. took over Package 1 for &rupee;400 crore, while KNR Constructions secured Package 2 for &rupee;1,100 crore.

Source: The Hindu — Home