National Highways Authority of India has said it is confident that the long-delayed Kuloor six-lane bridge on National Highway 66 will be completed before the onset of the monsoon this year, provided construction activity is stepped up immediately. Officials warned that any slippage beyond June could push completion back by another year.

The bridge is being constructed across the Phalguni River at Kuloor, between two existing old bridges. The project has been awarded to Pune-based Shinde Developers. Although the work order was issued in April 2021 and completion was originally scheduled for October 2022, the project has faced delays of nearly three years, largely due to financial constraints faced earlier by the contractor.

Officials said work has since resumed, but progress remains slower than required. At present, six pillars have been constructed, with pier cap work underway. Five pier caps have been completed, while work on the sixth is expected to be finished in the coming days.

Once pier cap construction is completed, girder launching will begin. A total of 60 girders have already been manufactured and are currently stored at the Baikampady yard. Girder launching work, which is yet to commence, is expected to take up to four months and has been identified as a critical activity requiring accelerated execution.

The new bridge will have a total width of 41 metres, with a 28-metre-wide main carriageway accommodating six lanes of traffic. A seven-metre-wide service road will also be provided. After the bridge is opened to traffic, the existing old arch bridge will be permanently closed. A new service road and footpath will be developed alongside the old bridge, adjacent to the new structure. Officials said work on the service road can begin only after completion of the main carriageway, as pipeline relocation near the old bridge is required.

Connectivity-wise, the six-lane bridge will link to the highway near the old NMPT lighthouse on the Panambur highway side. On the opposite end, it will connect to the existing flyover through a curved alignment.

Brijesh Chowta recently reviewed the project with NHAI officials and urged them to complete the remaining work within four months. NHAI has directed the contractor to ensure that construction is completed before the monsoon season.

According to the revised schedule, the project is now expected to be completed by May 31, 2026, subject to timely completion of girder launching and associated works.