The Santhekatte underpass project in Udupi has seen significant progress as of February 2026, moving closer to its long-awaited completion.

* Concretization Progress: Construction has gained significant momentum recently. The highway stretch at the underpass site has been fully concretized, a major milestone in stabilizing the work that was previously plagued by rains and landslides.

* Target Deadline: The Udupi Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Vidya Kumari, has instructed officials to complete the project by March 2026.

* Current Traffic Situation: * The service road from Udupi to Kundapur is fully operational, which has helped reduce the massive bottlenecks that previously caused 20–30 minute delays.

* One side of the underpass foundation is complete, while the other side remains open to traffic to allow continuous movement while work progresses.

* Despite the improvements, some commuters still report dusty conditions and uneven stretches near the junction, particularly affecting two-wheelers.

Project Background & Challenges

The project, which began in January 2023 with a ₹24 crore estimate, faced several setbacks:

* The "Rock" Issue: Progress was stalled for months due to a massive hard rock discovered at the excavation site that required specialized removal.

* Monsoon Damage: In 2023 and 2024, the site witnessed multiple landslips and service road cave-ins, leading to public protests and safety concerns for nearby buildings.

* Political Pressure: MP Kota Srinivas Poojary has been frequently reviewing the site, pushing for extra machinery to be deployed to ensure the project does not miss another deadline.

What to Expect Next

The next few weeks will focus on completing the retaining walls and finishing the remaining half of the underpass structure. If the current pace continues, the junction should be fully operational and traffic-free before the 2026 monsoon season begins.

Image (AI)