Kottara Chowki Bus Stop is one of Mangaluru’s most important intermediate transit points on the NH 66 (Edapally–Panvel National Highway) corridor — a key KSRTC and private bus stop in the Kodikal–Bangrakuloor area that serves as the vital gateway between Mangaluru city’s central zones and its northern coastal belt stretching toward Kuloor, Panambur Beach, Suratkal, and the entire NITK–Surathkal industrial corridor. The name “Chowki” — derived from the Urdu/Kannada word for a crossroads guard post or checkpoint — reflects the stop’s historical role as a monitoring point on the highway entering the coastal strip north of the city. Today it functions as one of the most important boarding and alighting points on Mangaluru’s Route 53 and 45 series — city bus routes that serve the State Bank–Ladyhill–Kottara Chowki–Panambur axis, one of the city’s most operationally active coastal corridors.
Location and Address
Kottara Chowki Bus Stop is located on JB Lobo Road — in the Bangrakuloor area of Kodikal — on the Edapally–Panvel Highway (NH 66) in Mangaluru.
Address: Kottara Chowki Bus Stop, JB Lobo Road, Bangrakuloor, Kodikal, Mangaluru — 575006, Karnataka
The stop is approximately 7 kilometres from State Bank (Mangaluru Central bus hub), 3 kilometres from Kuloor, 6 kilometres from Panambur Beach, 12 kilometres from Surathkal NITK, and directly on the NH 66 coastal highway corridor that runs the length of Mangaluru’s northern suburban strip.
How to Reach Kottara Chowki Bus Stop
| Mode of Transport | Details | Approx. Time |
| City Bus from State Bank | Routes 53, 45F, 45G, 45H — direct services | 20 — 25 minutes |
| City Bus from KSRTC Stand | Routes 17, 17A, 17B via Kottara Cross area | 15 — 20 minutes |
| Auto-Rickshaw | Available on NH 66 throughout the day | Readily available |
| App-Based Cab | Ola, Uber active in the Mangaluru area | 15 — 25 minutes from city centre |
| Private Vehicle | NH 66 Edapally–Panvel Highway — direct | Well-connected highway |
Kottara Chowki Bus Stop Timings
| Service | First Bus | Last Bus | Notes |
| City Bus Route 53 — State Bank to Tibar | 5:30 AM | 9:00 PM | Via Kottara Chowki — long route |
| City Bus Route 45F — State Bank to Kaikamba | 5:30 AM | 9:00 PM | Via Kottara Chowki — Suratkal |
| City Bus Route 45G — State Bank to Janatha Colony | 5:30 AM | 9:00 PM | Via Kottara Chowki — Suratkal |
| City Bus Route 45H — State Bank to Madhyapadavu | 5:30 AM | 9:00 PM | Via Kottara Chowki — Suratkal–Katipalla |
| Private City Buses — Panambur route | 5:30 AM | 9:30 PM | Multiple operators daily |
| KSRTC City Buses | 5:30 AM | 9:30 PM | Regular service |
| Peak Hour Frequency | Every 10 — 15 min | — | 7:00 AM — 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM — 8:00 PM |
Note: City buses in Mangaluru are predominantly operated by private operators under the Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators’ Association. Services on the NH 66 corridor are frequent during peak hours, particularly during shift changes at NITK Surathkal and the Panambur industrial zone. Confirm timings on the Namma Mangaluru app or at State Bank bus hub.
Facilities at Kottara Chowki Bus Stop
| Facility | Status | Details |
| Bus Shelter | ✅ Available | Covered stop on NH 66 at Kottara Chowki |
| Seating | ✅ Available | Passenger benches at the stop |
| Food and Tea Stalls | ✅ Available | Vendors on NH 66 and JB Lobo Road |
| Auto-Rickshaw Stand | ✅ Available | Available throughout the day |
| ATM | ✅ Available | Banks in Kodikal and adjacent areas |
| Pharmacy | ✅ Available | Medical shops near Kottara Chowki junction |
| Commercial Shops | ✅ Active | Active commercial strip on NH 66 |
| Mobile Network | ✅ Excellent | All operators active on coastal highway |
Major City Bus Routes From Kottara Chowki Bus Stop
| Route | Route Details | Key Stops |
| 53 | State Bank to Tibar | State Bank — Ballalbagh — Lalbagh — Ladyhill — Chilimbi — Urva Store — Kottara Chowki — Kuloor — Panambur — Suratkal — Krishnapur — Katipalla — Soorinje — Tibar |
| 45F | State Bank to Kaikamba | State Bank — Ballalbagh — Lalbagh — Ladyhill — Chilimbi — Urva Store — Kottara Chowki — Kuloor — Panambur — Suratkal — Krishnapur — Katipalla — Kaikamba |
| 45G | State Bank to Janatha Colony | State Bank — Kottara Chowki — Kuloor — Panambur — Suratkal — Mason Road — Janatha Colony |
| 45H | State Bank to Madhyapadavu | State Bank — Kottara Chowki — Kuloor — Panambur — Suratkal — Krishnapur — Katipalla — Madhyapadavu |
| 59 | State Bank to Suratkal | State Bank — Lalbagh — Ladyhill — Kuloor — Baikampady — Chitrapur — Hosabettu — Suratkal |
Nearby Area
Kuloor Ferry and Backwaters — Approximately 3 kilometres from Kottara Chowki along NH 66, Kuloor is one of Mangaluru’s most scenic and most historically significant riverside settlements — home to the Kuloor ferry that crosses the Netravathi river estuary and provides a picturesque boat crossing that remains one of the most charming commuter experiences in the entire coastal Karnataka region.
Panambur Beach — Mangaluru’s most popular and most visited public beach, Panambur is approximately 6 kilometres from Kottara Chowki along the Route 53 corridor. The wide, clean expanse of Panambur Beach — with its annual boat race, sand sculptures, and seafood stalls — is one of Karnataka’s most beloved coastal recreational destinations.
NITK Surathkal — National Institute of Technology Karnataka — One of India’s most prestigious technical universities, NITK Surathkal is approximately 12 kilometres from Kottara Chowki — directly accessible via Routes 53 and 45F. Thousands of NITK students and staff board buses at Kottara Chowki as they commute between the institute and Mangaluru city daily.
Baikampady Industrial Area — The Baikampady KIADB (Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board) industrial estate is in the broader Kuloor–Panambur corridor — accessible from Kottara Chowki — and generates substantial daily worker commuter traffic on the Route 53 and 59 corridors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which bus goes from State Bank to Panambur via Kottara Chowki?
A: Routes 53, 45F, 45G, and 45H all start at State Bank and pass through Kottara Chowki on their way to Panambur and Suratkal.
Q2. How far is Panambur Beach from Kottara Chowki?
A: Approximately 6 kilometres — 15 to 20 minutes by city bus on Route 53 or 45F.
Q3. Is NITK Surathkal accessible from Kottara Chowki by bus?
A: Yes. Routes 53, 45F, and 45G pass through the Suratkal zone en route to their termini — NITK is approximately 12 kilometres from Kottara Chowki.
Q4. What is the first city bus at Kottara Chowki?
A: City buses on the State Bank–Suratkal corridor begin at approximately 5:30 AM. Frequency increases significantly from 7:00 AM.
Q5. How frequently do buses run at Kottara Chowki during peak hours?
A: Every 10 to 15 minutes during peak hours — 7:00 to 10:00 AM and 5:00 to 8:00 PM.
Q6. Is Kuloor Ferry accessible from Kottara Chowki?
A: Yes. Route 53 and other Suratkal-bound buses pass through Kuloor — approximately 3 kilometres from Kottara Chowki.
