Udupi CMC yet to build foot overbridge in Indrali via PPP
Coastal Talk News | Udupi
With the new railway overbridge (ROB) at Indrali inaugurated on September 21, 2025, Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) yet to plan to plug a critical gap in pedestrian safety by constructing a foot overbridge (FOB) at the junction. There was a plan to build it through a public–private partnership (PPP) model.
At present, there is no formal provision for people to cross the National Highway 169A to the other side. Commuters and residents say the lack of a safe crossing has turned routine trips into a daily risk, especially during peak hours. Sources in Udupi CMC told Coastal Talk News that discussions are under way on “how to go about the FOB project” as it is very much essential. “The case workers have been working on it. CMC Commissioner will soon come up with the plans to be presented during the meeting of Udupi CMC for approval” sources said.
According to sources, the National Highways Division of the Public Works Department (PWD), Government of Karnataka, does not currently have a plan to build an FOB here. That has prompted the CMC to take the lead on designing and funding the crossing, with PPP emerging as the preferred route to speed up execution without overburdening civic finances. Udupi-Chikkamagalur MP Kota Srinivas Poojary said allied works around the new overbridge have already been flagged to the NH division. “For the approach road and other allied works, NH division has been asked to prepare a supplementary Detailed Project Report (DPR). For the FOB project, Udupi CMC may come up with a plan” he said.
Officials said that once the CMC commissioner’s note was placed before the CMC’s general body, and the civic body could seek expressions of interest from private players and align FOB design with highway safety norms. The initiative, they added, will restore safe and seamless connectivity for pedestrians at Indrali while the approach road and other pending works are finalized at the spot.
