Mangaluru: Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, emphasized the importance of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) moving forward with the construction of underpasses at the Karnataka Polytechnic (KPT) and Nantoor junctions. He also advocated for the development of a 1.6-km long service road between the two junctions on NH 66, utilizing the available land.

During the district development coordination and monitoring committee (DISHA) meeting chaired by Kateel, NHAI Project Director Abdulla Javed Azmi reported that the relocation of 604 trees along the stretch was almost complete, with a small piece of land belonging to the government's Karnataka Polytechnic remaining.

Azmi mentioned the necessity of diverting traffic during the construction work, prompting an objection from the lecturers of KPT. Expressing dissatisfaction with the interruption caused by the KPT's actions, Mr. Kateel reprimanded the lecturers, stating that their grievances should have been addressed through the appropriate channels, such as the Deputy Commissioner's office.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Anthony S. Mariyappa clarified that the removal of the trees had been approved following due process. The lecturers emphasized their lack of objection to the land acquisition but expressed concerns about the potential impact on the institute's national accreditation. Assuring them, Kateel confirmed that the compound would be reconstructed.

In response to a status quo order from a district court, K. Pratapsimha Nayak, MLC, emphasized that civil courts lacked jurisdiction over NHAI-acquired land. Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan instructed the NHAI Special Land Acquisition officer to file an interim application seeking the dismissal of the petition on the grounds of maintainability.

Azmi highlighted that proposed changes in the design of flyovers and the expansion of the 1.6 km service road had been submitted for NHAI approval. Mullai requested MCC Commissioner C.L. Anand to prepare to provide additional land, if necessary, following the potential acceptance of the altered alignment.