Katpadi Steel Bowstring: NHAI's ₹44.64 Cr Traffic Solution

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun constructing a new steel bowstring road-over-bridge (ROB) at Katpadi railway station on the Mangalore–Villupuram Highway (NH-75) to ease traffic congestion.

The new bridge, estimated at ₹44.64 crore, will be built adjacent to the existing concrete structure, which is more than 30 years old. According to NHAI officials, the ROB is expected to be completed by September 2026. Designed to handle heavy peak-hour traffic—over 20,000 vehicles daily, including ambulances and school buses—the bridge will span 90.88 metres in length and 12.5 metres in width. It will also feature LED streetlights, tiled footpaths, and staircases providing direct access to the railway station.

Southern Railway will undertake the works on the rail track segment to ensure uninterrupted rail operations. The upgraded infrastructure is set to improve train movement for more than 260 daily services and benefit approximately 25,000 commuters.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.