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The delay in the proposed widening of the national highway passing through the Parkala junction has added to the existing woes. The increasing number of potholes has resulted in crammed vehicular movements, especially during peak hours.

Prior to the proposal of National Highway 169 A, the stretch from Manipal junction to Parkala was a state highway. The proposed national highway project, however, has totally diverted the issue, raising apprehensions.

Sridhar Pai, 85, who owns an automobile outlet by the miniscule road where the proposed project is expected to be implemented, told Deccan Herald that he was once informed of the proposed project. “There was, however, no development, although markings had been made. This has become absolutely an accident zone,” said Pai, adding, “Since 1970, when I started off with my tiny hotel, the road continues to be the same. However, the difference is in the vehicular density.”

He said that, as there is a proposal for the national highway project, we cannot take up repair of the building, and added that the old structures are under the threat of collapse. Stating that the major problem is that of drainage, he said the seepage blocks the road quite often and the foul smell contaminates the region. He said the repair of the drainage cannot be taken up owing to the impending project.

Vijay, who runs a restaurant in the area proposed for acquisition, said that the road is filled with potholes, making vehicular movements extremely difficult.The two-wheelers frequently skid off the road and meet with accidents, he added.

Gopalakrishna, who works in the hotel. adds that there are nearly 50 shops in the area. He said that at least the authorities concerned should contemplate on setting up two bus stops in the junction.

Jaganath Nayak, who owns a cycle shop in the area, adds that one cent of land in Parkala has a market value of Rs eight lakh. The proposal, however, would not fetch better income to the land losers. “In spite of the fact we have come forward to lend our land for the noble cause,” he said and alleged that the project is delayed owing to the negligence of people in power.

Autorickshaw drivers Rajaram Poojary and Manjunath Naik said that the patch works should be taken up until the final decision on the national highway is taken up. The road filled with potholes everywhere has created misery. Poojary added that the traffic woes during the peak hours, between 7.30 am and 10 am, and from 4 pm to 6 pm, is immense. If a bus stops for picking up or dropping passengers, there would be a big queue of vehicles up to one kilometre. The road is congested and two-way traffic is impossible.

Bus driver Hameed, who has more than 25 years of experience driving on the stretch, says that it is a major challenge for bus drivers to overcome the traffic and drive safely. There is a regular delay for more than half an hour in the bus timings.

Another driver, Imran says that driving buses in the area is a Herculean task. “Maintaining of timing, owing to the rivalry, has raised the level of risk. We too have responsibilities to ensure that school and college students and also employees at various organisations reach their destinations on time. We should run the bus taking the risk for life and in case of any tragedy, we are blamed for any fault,” he rues.