Wed Oct 15 13:41:03 UTC 2025: ## Mangaluru Braces for Traffic Chaos as Kankanady Bypass Closes for Upgrades

**MANGALURU, October 15, 2025** – Commuters in Mangaluru are bracing for potential traffic gridlock as the Kankanady Bypass Road faces a seven-month partial closure for comprehensive development. Effective October 13, 2025, but yet to be implemented, the Mangaluru City Police Commissioner has declared the bypass a one-way street from the city towards Pumpwell Circle, with traffic heading in the opposite direction diverted onto the Kankanady Old Road.

The Public Works Department (PWD) will concrete the 750-meter, four-lane bypass road at a cost of ₹4 crore. The redevelopment project, aiming to improve the existing road width, was reportedly sanctioned years ago but delayed due to ongoing construction of twin railway underbridges (RuBs) at Mahakalipadpu.

The diversion comes as traffic flow has already been significantly impacted since December 2022, with vehicles bound for the south of Mangaluru diverted through Pumpwell Circle due to the closure of the Jeppinamogaru-Morgan’s Gate Road.

Concerns are mounting among road users, with social activist G.K. Bhat expressing fears that the temporary one-way enforcement, implemented before the Mahakalipadpu RuBs are operational, could create significant traffic bottlenecks in southern Mangaluru. He highlighted Pumpwell Circle as a critical gateway for traffic to and from Bengaluru and Kasaragod.

Adding to the concerns, the completion of approach roads for the four-lane Jeppinamogaru-Morgan’s Road project, being managed by Mangaluru Smart City Ltd., is still pending.

Critics point to a perceived lack of coordination between the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), PWD, city traffic police, and Mangaluru Smart City Ltd. regarding the timing of the bypass redevelopment. Some argue the agencies could have waited a few more months for the Mahakalipadpu RuBs to open before commencing work on the Kankanady Bypass Road.

In response, the MCC has agreed to resurface the carriageway of the Kankanady Bypass Road, acknowledging the current condition of the road, which is riddled with potholes and craters. The effectiveness of these measures in mitigating potential traffic congestion remains to be seen.

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