Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 11: The absence of adequate street lighting on highways poses significant risks to drivers, pedestrians, and animals alike. High-speed travel on poorly lit roads increases the chances of accidents, as drivers struggle to see the road clearly and react to potential hazards in time. Pedestrians and animals are particularly vulnerable in such conditions, further highlighting the need for proper illumination.

The national highway stretch from Padil to BC Road is particularly hazardous due to inadequate street lighting. High-mast lights are installed only at specific junctions, such as Padil, Adyar Katte, Adyar, and Farangipete. A small improvement can be seen near a private hospital in Kannur, where street lights were installed through the efforts of the local corporator. However, the rest of the highway remains shrouded in darkness, forcing drivers to navigate poorly visible stretches, increasing the risk of accidents.

While there are street lights between Kannur and Adyar Katte, many are non-functional. Additionally, a stretch of over 4 kilometres from Thumbe Polali Arc to Buntara Bhavana lacks street lighting altogether, except for a few lights near the Thumbay Private Hospital junction. Ironically, across from Buntara Bhavana, 6-7 high-mast lights are installed, pointing to an imbalance in lighting infrastructure.

The lack of lighting not only endangers drivers and pedestrians but also leads to accidents involving animals like cats and dogs, which are often hit by vehicles due to poor visibility.

This issue urgently calls for improved infrastructure and consistent street lighting to ensure the safety of all road users along these high-risk stretches.