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Travelling along Kottara-Hejmady highway ain’t safe!

Several accidents in eight months

Goods vehicles standing in a single file beside the road

10 way concrete road stuck at proposal phase

Bends near Kuloor bridge without safety barrier

Udayavani reality report – Mangaluru team

Mangaluru: This is the story of NH 66. There are several drawbacks regarding the safety of motorists and from the point-of-view do the highway guidelines along the stretch between Kottara to Hejmady toll gate. The rise in the number of accidents occurring along this road is a well-known fact. 41 people lost their lives in just 8 months within the 49 km limits of this road. in other words, 5 lives per month!

Just while driving down from the overpass at Kottara, there is an unscientific and dangerous turn at Kodikal. There is no signboard here regarding vehicles attempting U-turn or vehicles merging in from the service road. Barricades have been erected near Kuloor without any caution signage board. Vehicles proceeding in the opposite direction along the one-way overpass at Kuloor are an open invitation for disaster.  There is no signage board near the turn for Tannirbavi road. similar to the other locations along this highway, barricades have been installed unscientifically in close proximity. The motorist has no precaution regarding this.

Goods vehicles in a single file

A service road for a little distance has been constructed a little ahead from Panambur. But the entire stretch has been captured by good trucks standing in a line. This is causing much trouble to tourists wanting to go to Panambur beach. Heavy vehicles being parked right beside the road and are becoming a cause for accident. Last year during the month of March, a tourist vehicle crashed into the rear of a lorry parked haphazardly near MCF in the midnight. In fact, there should have been a separate facility for the parking of goods vehicles.

Dangerous bend near Kuloor bridge

The dangerous turn near the old bridge at Kuloor is an accident zone. There is no proper safety wall here either. There are several instances wherein travellers coming from Udupi direction have ended up in Phalguni river. Last year, two persons lost their life after the car they were travelling in toppled into the river. The demand to change the bend or construct a safety wall here has not yet materialized. The combination of incessant rain and heavy vehicles have completely worn-out the road between Kottara cross and Baikampady.

Excluding minor problems, the highway is mostly passable after Hosabettu up till Hejmady. Vehicle users will get the experience of driving along a four lane road only here. An underpass has be constructed for the service road near NITK and due to inferior work quality, the stones built on one side of the highway have cracked and are on the verge of collapsing. Since the highway is not level, many spots along the route get inundated during the rains causing problem to vehicular movement. Although expensive street lights have been installed from Surathkal to Hejmady, they refuse to light up during the night.

10 lane concrete road stuck at proposal phase

The area from Panambur to Baikampady is industrial area. Yet, even though there should be a separate parking area for goods vehicles here, it isn’t there. As a solution to this, the proposal for upgrading the 2.5 km long highway stretch between Kuloor and Baikampady into a 10 lane road has only been gathering dust.

Two way traffic at Surathkal

The two-way movement of traffic within Surathkal city limits has created opportunity for accidents. There is no proper service road here. Thus, vehicle users prefer to proceed in the opposite direction only to cause more confusion. During the nights, goods vehicles arriving from outstations do not realize that the one-way road has two-way traffic thereby leading to accidents.

Barricades at several locations

Instead of taking separate action to control vehicle speed and provide facilities for the pedestrians to cross the road, barricades have been installed unscientifically. Within the distance of 25 km between Kottara and Hejmady, barricades have been installed at many locations including Kuloor, Kulai, Hosabettu, Surathkal Idya, Sasihitlu, where one or two barricades have been installed at a mere distance of half-a-kilometer. Besides, no precaution signage regarding the barricades has been given to vehicle users.

Travelling just once between Kottara and Hejmady will sting one’s eyes with all the disorganization throughout the route. Travelling through Baikampady industrial area is a challenge to God himself. On one hand, there are goods vehicle proceeding in a single file and on the other, the road has been completely overtaken by potholes. Amidst this, the national highway department is adamant on collecting toll at the toll gates no matter the state of the road, but will simply not take any initiative to repair or provide any safety to the users. Today’s reality report is regarding that very road.