Slushy road a nightmare for motorists, pedestrians

The road at Kodaalu village in Malnad has put a large number of road users as well as the vehicle owners into severe hardship. Kodaalu is situated just a 15- km away from Chikmagalur headquarters. However, the road looks like a marshy field ready for Kambala race.

Vehicles splash muddy water to pedestrians. This is the only road connecting Kodaalu, Manimakki and Tadagase. Under MGNREGS, the soil from the drains were used to fill the road during February. With rain, the road has been creating nuisance to the road users.

Kodaalu in Mudigere constituency has over 100 houses.  Though battered and damaged roads pose danger for motorists and pedestrians in many localities in the village, slushy road due to recent rain add to their woes. Residents said that they were not able to venture out, either in vehicles on foot as slush pose a problem.

Cars get stuck in slush. The situation becomes worse for two-wheeler riders as their vehicles are caught in slushy and slippery roads and the rider loses balance and falls down. As a result, the villagers are not able to carry fertilisers and farm equipment to their field. They are not able to carry agriculture produce to their houses from the estate.

The road is the main road connecting Halasumane from Kadur-Mangalore. If the road is developed, then it will provide connectivity to Vajuvalli, Arenalli, Vatiganahalli, Acchadamane, Kelagane, Thodavalli, Valagerehalli, Neradi, Tiruguna, Marikatte, K R Pere and Baskal. In the history of the road, it has not seen asphaltation.

The promises of MLA B B Ningaiah to develop the road has remained a promise only on paper. Villagers said that by dumping soil on the road, the Gram Panchayat has spoiled the road. If the MLA fails to develop the road, then hunger strike will be staged in front of his office,  gram panchayat, Zilla Panchayat and DC’s office.