Mangaluru: A detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed tunnel road with six lanes to Shiradi Ghat on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

The Union ministry of road transport and highways has already approved the alignment for the tunnel road project from Addahole to Heggadde on Shiradi Ghat, which will be taken up through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). As per the central government circular, the project has already been handed over to National Highway Authority of India in October 2017.

A final feasibility and DPR on the new proposal of bypass tunnel road with six lanes was expected to be submitted to the central government in May 2016. However, MLC Ivan D’Souza told TOI that the consultants could not complete the DPR, due to a delay in obtaining permission to conduct survey for the project from the forest department.

“The alignment of the proposed tunnel road has received approval from the Union ministry of road transport and highways in November 2015. However, there was delay in obtaining permission from the forest department to conduct Geo Technical Investigation. Hence, the DPR is expected to be submitted by the consultant by the end of this month,” said Ivan, who is the chief whip the government in legislative council.

“I have sought details from PWD minister H C Mahadevappa about the project. He said the project will be taken up soon after its DPR gets approval from the central government. The new bypass will take off near Heggadde and merges near St Joseph Church in Addahole.

While the new bypass will have seven tunnels of 12.41 km. The longest one will be of 2.7 km. The bypass project will comprise of 10 bridges with a total length of 6.72 km. The longest bridge on the proposed bypass will be of 1.48km with a highest pier of 100 metres,” Ivan said.

In the second phase of the Mangaluru-Bengaluru national highway development works in Shiradi Ghat, Ivan said the lowest bid submitted by M/s Ocean Constructions (India) Pvt Ltd has been sent to the Centre for approval in September 2017.

The second phase of works, includes strengthening the national highway stretch from Gulagalale to Maranahalli and providing rigid pavement from Kempuhole to Addahole on Shiradi Ghat. The work will commence soon after the tender is approved by the centre, he added.