Mangaluru: The much-awaited development of the road from Pumpwell to Kankanady (Karavali Circle) has finally commenced, with one side of the road being closed today to start the work. The main road will remain closed for the next four months to facilitate the completion of several development projects, including drainage, a four-lane concrete road, a divider with streetlights, rainwater drains, and footpaths.

Approximately 750 meters of the road from Pumpwell Circle to Bendurwell Junction will be developed. In the first phase, the road from Pumpwell to Karavali Circle will be closed for work. In anticipation of heavy traffic congestion, the police department has already issued alternative route directions. Furthermore, the public is expected to cooperate with the administration for the next four months.

Temporary repairs for the road towards Pumpwell

The road leading from Karavali Circle toward Pumpwell will maintain its current one-way traffic arrangement. Vehicles traveling from the city toward Pumpwell will continue to use this route. Large potholes on this stretch have been patched and temporarily asphalted to facilitate smooth movement.

Kankanady Old Road becomes one-way

Provisions have been made for vehicles entering the city from Pumpwell to pass through the Kankanady Old Road. This old road has been restricted to one-way traffic only, and parking has been prohibited on the roadside. Given that the road is narrow, traffic congestion is expected. Since private and government buses heading to State Bank must use this road, smooth transit may be difficult. Additionally, there is public concern that ambulances heading to city hospitals will also have to use this route, potentially worsening the situation.

Planned development features

• Drainage work




• Concrete road




• Drinking water pipeline




• Streetlights




• Rainwater drains




• Footpaths




• Safety fencing




• Separate system for cable routing

Traffic changes from Monday

"Changes in vehicle movement might cause some inconvenience for a day or two. Cooperation from motorists with the police and administration is essential. Although the closure order was effective from Sunday, we are implementing the traffic changes from Monday to raise awareness among the public. Necessary preparations have been made, and the police department has taken all measures to ensure smooth traffic," stated DCP (Traffic) Dinesh Kumar.

Initially, the City Corporation will undertake drainage work. The current drainage line runs from the rickshaw stand at Karavali Circle toward Pumpwell through the middle of the road. Instead, a new line will be installed along the edge of the road. The existing connection will be maintained while new work begins, and the lines will be joined once the work is complete. Subsequently, old manholes will be filled with gravel and sand and closed. Corporation engineers noted that attempting to remove old pipes by digging up the road would cause significant delays and might prevent the concrete road from settling correctly, potentially leading to cracks. The goal is to finish the drainage work within a month, after which the Public Works Department will begin the concreting.

Concerns over congestion at Nanthoor Junction

Traffic congestion at Nanthoor Junction has been an unresolved issue for many years. Despite the construction of service roads, heavy vehicle inflow from four directions already causes significant jams. Citizens are now worried that traffic will increase further as heavy vehicles and KSRTC buses coming from Kasaragod and Padil have been directed to travel via Nanthoor.