Roads in Kundapur a nightmare

The officials have been citing the reason of rain as main reason for not repairing the road. In the recently held taluk panchayat meeting, all the members irrespective of party urged the officials to repair the roads. However, National Highway official stated that no funds have been released to repair the roads. After the taluk panchayat meeting, the work on filling the potholes on National Highway has commenced from Kundapur to Hemmadi.

Only the major potholes have been filled and not the minor potholes, say the road users. The road from Kundapur to Udupi is motorable, courtesy the contractor who has taken up the work on four-laning of the road. However, the road from Kundapur to Baindur is in deplorable condition. The Highway authorities say that as the work on four-laning of the road is being carried out, no funds are released for carrying out maintenance of the exisiting roads.

“Even if we take up the work on repairing the road, the funds will not be released immediately,” say contractors.

“In the name of development, it is better to take up the work on four-laning of the road. However, what is the rationality behind keeping the already existing highway in deplorable condition?” asks Lecturer K Premaraj Shetty.

The condition of rural roads in the taluk is no better. The condition of road leading to Kundapur-Basrur-Siddapur, Koteshwar-Haladi-Someshwar, Hemmady-Vandse-Kollur have developed huge potholes causing severe inconvenience to the road users. Though Bantwadi-Guddeyangadi road was repaired temporarily, it was of not much use. A protest was held recently against the condition of the same road.

“The funds released to taluk panchayat and Gram Panchayats are not enough to carry out even the asphaltation of road and repairing the drains,” say members. The condition of PWD roads are also same.