Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur

Kundapur, Sept 17: Agumbe Ghat — one of Karnataka’s most scenic yet treacherous hill routes — has become a nightmare for commuters, with massive potholes dotting almost every hairpin bend.

The deteriorating road condition has led to frequent traffic snarls and heightened accident risks, despite a ban on heavy vehicles following recent monsoon-triggered landslips.

The ghat stretch, part of the Malpe-Thirthahalli National Highway 169A, includes 14 sharp hairpin bends. A minor landslip at the 12th bend has dumped soil and foliage onto the roadside, while collapsed sidewalls at several turns have raised serious safety concerns.

“The sidewalls have caved in right at the bends — it’s terrifying to drive here,” said Balakrishna Shetty of Madamakki, a local resident.

Drainage lines along the ghat are choked with silt, worsening water stagnation and accelerating road damage. Potholes, deep and wide, have appeared at nearly every curve, turning uphill and downhill driving into a dangerous ordeal. Commuters say even a moment's distraction could prove fatal.

The poor state of the road is causing routine traffic jams as vehicles slow down or struggle to navigate the uneven bends. “Sometimes we get stuck for up to half an hour, especially if a car stalls while climbing. These potholes are getting worse every day,” said Sunil, a local driver who plies the ghat daily.

With the monsoon waning, the region is witnessing a sharp increase in tourist footfall. But the very charm of the ghat — its lush beauty and cool climate — is now overshadowed by its dangerous stretches. Tourists unfamiliar with the terrain are particularly vulnerable, locals warn.

Authorities had earlier restricted heavy vehicles from using the route due to minor landslips, but the road remains open to light vehicles — cars, mini-buses, and two-wheelers — all of which are now at risk. “It’s not just a matter of inconvenience anymore. These potholes are accident traps,” Shetty added, urging the concerned departments to act swiftly.

The 21-kilometre stretch between Agumbe and Hebri is especially narrow, with blind curves that demand precision driving. Locals believe that only a full-fledged road widening project and proper ghat-edge reinforcement can ensure safety. “Until that happens, we’re at the mercy of weather and luck,” Sunil remarked.

Agumbe Ghat, once hailed as the gateway to the Western Ghats’ beauty, is now better known for its perilous drive. With increasing tourist traffic and recurring landslips, urgent intervention is needed. Locals and commuters alike are demanding immediate repairs before the road claims more lives.