Pics: Thejaswi U Poojary
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Sept 2: Once a vital link between Manipal and Ambalgil, the Perampalli Road has now become a commuter’s nightmare, marred by deep potholes, uneven surfaces, and severe waterlogging.
The stretch near Bharatiya Ahara Nigama, which sees steady daily traffic, is in complete disrepair, making travel not just uncomfortable — but downright dangerous.
Recent spells of heavy and continuous rainfall have devastated the already fragile surface. Though temporary repairs using wet mix were attempted by the authorities, rains have washed them away, leaving behind open craters camouflaged by murky water. Two-wheeler riders, in particular, are at high risk, as they struggle to gauge the depth of these potholes.
“It’s impossible to tell how deep the potholes are until it’s too late. Every ride feels like a risk,” said a daily commuter navigating the battered stretch during peak hours.
Beyond the risk to riders, the road's poor condition has slowed traffic movement significantly, with ambulances often caught in the gridlock, raising concerns over delays in critical emergency response.
Already a narrow corridor, the Perampalli Road is further worsened by the movement of heavy vehicles, which have eroded the surface, creating dangerous ridges, loose gravel, and uneven terrain. In some areas, displaced road material has gathered in lumps, forcing drivers to veer or brake abruptly — increasing the risk of skids and collisions.
As public frustration grows, calls for immediate action have intensified.
Prabhakar Poojary, president of the Udupi City Municipal Council, confirmed that the road falls under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD). “We have directed the PWD to initiate repair work and ensure smoother traffic flow at the earliest,” he said.
He acknowledged that road-widening efforts had been delayed due to administrative complications and an early monsoon, which disrupted pre-planned maintenance schedules. “Most road work was pending when the rains began, worsening the situation,” he added.
To address the crisis, Poojary said the council has divided the repair work into four packages across 35 wards, with a totalallocation of Rs 20 lac — Rs 5 lac per package. “We plan to fill major potholes using cold tar, which requires at least one dry day. Now that the rains have reduced, repairs will begin soon. In the meantime, wet mix has been used for temporary patching to reduce accident risk.”
Despite these reassurances, the condition on the ground remains grim, and residents continue to navigate muddy, broken roads, while hoping that PWD's promised intervention materialises without further delay.