Mangaluru : A project to set up an alternate road along the Nethravathi is underway, Mangaluru city south MLA J R Lobo said. State government has already released Rs 10 crore for the project and the project report is being readied and this road will come up on land abutting the river up to Kannur. When this road is complete, it will provide a by-pass for vehicles coming from Kerala and headed towards Goa without entering the city, reducing traffic gridlocks here.

Interacting with stakeholders at a flat meeting Shasakaru Nimmedege at Car Street, Lobo averred land rates along the proposed Nethravathi by-pass stretch will appreciate, thus helping the land owners. Likewise, under union government’s Sagar Mala project, heavy vehicles can reach old port, Bengre, Tannirbhavi via New Mangalore Port and proceed towards the Nethravathi Bridge from the old port. This road will connect old port with New Mangalore Port, he said.

If this project is completed, it will obviate the need for construction of a hanging bridge proposed to connect Bolur to Bengre, Lobo said adding it will also accentuate the need for constructing a permanent roads to both places. The timely and early completion of this infrastructure will also give a much needed fillip to tourism in the area, Lobo said, adding it is imperative for any city to give top priority to fast tracking infrastructure projects if it wishes to develop.

Referring to other initiative taken by the government through Mescom, Lobo said the electricity supply company is now experimenting with laying underground cables and one such project has been implemented from Kankanady to A B Shetty Circle along the road. If this project succeeds, it will pave the way for city to be free from sight of dangling power cables that come across as an eyesore, Lobo said, adding Mescom had taken up the initiative despite the cost involved.