Bumpy ride on pothole-ridden K M Road

Commuters on Kadur-Mangaluru Road (K M Road), which includes National Highway 173, are greeted with huge potholes and dust which are giving them a hard time while travelling on the stretch.

The surface of the road has peeled off near St Joseph School, Jyothinagar, Dantara Makki Kere Yeri, Bolarameshwara Temple, Maruthinagar and Thegooru Gate.

The NH 173 connects Mudigere to Kadur via Chikkamagaluru. From Mudigere, it provides connectivity to Dharmasthala and Mangaluru but is not an NH.

As heavy vehicles including trucks, KSRTC buses, tourists vehicles and others frequently ply on the stretch, potholes have become wider and deeper at many places.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Raghavendra Raykar said, “The stretch near Nalluru Gate and Bolarameshwara Temple is ridden with huge potholes. I travel to Mudigere thrice a week. Travelling on this road is a nightmare.”

“We need to be cautious while driving buses on the stretch. The entire road is filled with potholes. Vehicles need to be repaired very often if one travels frequently on this stretch,” said a KSRTC driver.

The authorities should install signboards cautioning the travellers on the poor condition of the road. When it rains, the riders are not able to judge the depth of the potholes and end up falling into the potholes. In a bid to avoid potholes, many two-wheeler riders have met with accidents, people said.

Auto driver Ramesh said, “I transport fruits and vegetables from Thegooru to APMC. The authorities should wake up and repair the stretch at the earliest.”

An NH official said, “The government has given approval for the widening of the highway. The survey has already commenced from Kadur. Work is likely to commence shortly. The weeds growing beside the road will also be cleared shortly.”