Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 10: The Rs 26 crore temporary repair project on the Surathkal–BC Road highway is in full swing. The project includes various components such as clearing roadside vegetation, painting road dividers and markings, and, crucially, improving the drainage system, particularly near Thumbay, to address the long-standing issue of waterlogging.

One of the major priorities since the commencement of the work has been the improvement of drainage infrastructure. Waterlogging had been a persistent problem in the Thumbay area, which is now being addressed with the installation of two large drainage pipes. This work began three weeks ago and runs parallel to the vegetation clearance along the highway.

Drainage work completed at Thumbay but humps raise safety concerns

However, while the drainage work has been completed at Thumbay, safety concerns have emerged due to the lack of proper road restoration. In particular, large humps have formed at the locations where drainage pipes were installed. These humps are especially dangerous because they are situated on curves, making them difficult to spot in time, especially at night, due to inadequate street lighting.

Motorists are at risk, as these humps are located on a national highway where vehicles typically travel at high speeds. The danger is compounded at night when visibility is further reduced due to the absence of streetlights along major stretches of the road.

Need for proper illumination

There is an urgent need for functional street lighting along the highway, particularly from Maripalla Polali Arch to Father Muller’s Thumbay Hospital, and from Thumbay to the Toll Gate. While some junctions have lights, several long stretches remain completely dark, relying only on light from roadside hoardings. Areas such as Thumbay to Ramalakatte (about 1 km), and Ramalakatte to Buntara Bhavana, are especially hazardous due to poor visibility.

The public has urged the concerned authorities to not only complete the drainage work but also ensure that the road is properly levelled and illuminated in order to prevent potential accidents.