Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Mar 12: The work of removing the top layer on the national highway road and re-asphalting the same is going on at a snail’s pace for the last few  months between Mangaluru and Udupi. Though many accidents have occurred and lives are lost, neither the NHAI nor the contractor seem to be bothered.

The top layer of the national highway stretch between Hejmady and Mulky has been removed and the rough surface is left in the same manner since a month. Though this does not cause any inconvenience to four wheelers, two-wheeler riders have to play with their lives while riding on this surface.

Representational image

No warning signboards have been placed on either side of this stretch. Vehicle riders are absolutely clueless and unaware of the impending dangers that lies ahead. Braking of two-wheelers is inevitable to avoid them from falling on the roughened surface. If heavy vehicles approach from behind, then the lives of two-wheeler riders and pillion riders will be in grave danger.

While removing the top layer, heaps of fine powder of asphalt are left on the edge of the road. If the two-wheeler riders ride too close to the heaps, there is every chance of them skidding.

It is impossible to ride on the roughened surface during night as there are no streetlights. Many of the two-wheeler riders park their vehicles on either end of the stretch and board buses to reach their destinations.

Many accidents have taken place on this stretch. In addition to loss of lives, many have been injured badly. Neither Navayuga Company that has the contract to undertake NH repairs nor the local police are concerned about the motorists.

If reasphalting is done in a day or two of roughening the road surface it will not cause much of a problem. But Navayuga Company removes the top layer for a long stretch and then asphalts after 10 to 15 days causing problems for the motorists.