Change of name has not brought any change in road condition

Every year, during monsoon, National Highway gets damaged without fail. In fact, the poor condition of National Highway 17 in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts had irritated  Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia during his visit to Manipal in November 2009. In his convocation address, he did mention about the poor condition of NH 17.

Now, the Pumpwell Circle road has developed potholes, causing severe inconvenience to the vehicles users. Though the authorities repaired the road before the onset of  monsoon, initial rains exposed the quality of work. At several places on the stretch, the surface of the road has chipped off. The National Highway at Yekkur, Kallapu, Jeppu, Adamkudru have been damaged and has developed potholes. At few spots on the Ullal bridge, even the iron rods are visible.

“I was travelling on my two-wheeler from Thokkotu to Mangalore daily. Of late, I started using the bus to travel owing to the potholes on the road. On two-wheeler it was difficult to escape the potholes and ride during the peak hours. I feel taking bus is safer,” said Vijay, who works in a private firm in Mangalore.

Motorists, two-wheeler users in particular, have anxious moments riding on this road.

When contacted a National Highway official  said “we  handed over NH 66 to National Highway Authority of India for carrying out four-laning work from Surathkal to Talapady, one year ago. The maintenance of the road will be carried out by the contractor till the four-laning of the road is complete.”

The Navyug Construction which was  awarded  the contract for the four-laning of the road has started filling the potholes with gravel and soil on badly damaged stretch at Jeppu, next to Nethravathi. The official from the NHAI said “temporary repairs will be carried out as and when required. The road will wear a new look once the four-laning of the National Highway is complete.”