Abhijith N Kolpe/Justin D’Silva

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (MS)

Mangaluru/Udupi, Jul 19: Heavy rains in Dakshina Kannada have exposed the quality of development works every year. The road and drainage works turned pathetic during the monsoon.

Mangaluru has witnessed heavy downpour in last three weeks resulting in submerged roads in Kannur, Padil, Pumpwell, Kottara Chowki and Malemar.

The national highway is filled with potholes which is dangerous for motorists. The roads at KPT, Nanthoor and Padil are loaded with potholes. KPT and Nanthoor was a traffic congested junction after the closure of Sharbath Katte-Padua road which was recently opened. Potholed roads have claimed several lives in the state.

Mangaluru

Udupi

The roads at Nanthoor and KPT are in news every year which has exposed the quality of works.

A week ago, the workers were seen filling the potholed filled roads but unfortunately it got peeled off in one heavy rain. The potholes at Nanthoor circle are very dangerous as the road turns towards Bikkarnakatte.

The traffic moves in snail’s pace at KPT and Nanthoor due to potholes throughout the road. Every monsoon, the potholes are filled with water and which makes it difficult for vehicle, users in the night.

Quality of road work is in question at Padil, Nanthoor and KPT. The concerned authorities undertake patch work which are back to the same pathetic condition during monsoon every year.

Meanwhile, the national highway that connects Udupi to Mangaluru via Udyavar, Katapadi, Kaup, Pangala, Muloor, Ucchila, Padubidri and Hejmady has turned into a death trap for vehicle drivers.

The 60 km stretch of road is filled with pot holes and craters which pose danger especially to two wheeler riders. Right from Karavali Bypass in Udupi, huge craters are formed at Balaipade of Udyavar, Kinnimulky, Katapady junction etc.

Toll is collected at Sastan, Hejmady and Surathkal by the contractor of NHAI to maintain this road. According to the agreement, the potholes needs to be filled within 48 hours of its appearance on national highways. But the Navyug toll company is least bothered about this rule.

At some places the craters are two feet in depth. When it rains, they get filled with water and vehicle drivers cannot see the depth. A week ago in the meeting that was held under the presidentship of minister Angara it was agreed to close these potholes within 10 days. But Navyug company is not bothered at all and the lives of vehicle riders are in danger.

A few days ago, a car fell down from the overbridge near Karavali bypass after the driver lost control of the vehicle due to the huge pothole. This caused the death of the bike rider who was riding his two wheeler below.

Now the Navyug company has begun some patchwork just for name sake. When it rains heavily the patch will come off the road and again the same issue will continue. It is really irony that people representatives are also not bothered about the life of commoners

The concerned authorities need to react quickly and repair the pothole filled roads and avoid injuries and casualties.