Potholes turn death trap for motorists, pedestrians

The Belagavi-Khanapur Road stretch, from Sambhaji Circle to Gogte Circle, and Congress Road from Gogte Circle to third railway gate, has virtually turned into a death trap with large tracts of road damaged replete with huge potholes that could eat up a two-wheeler.

Despite the pathetic condition of road, works for restoring damaged portions is progressing at snail’s pace. Motorists and pedestrians commuting on the road due to unavoidable circumstances do so with apprehension about their safety.

Southern parts of City

Belagavi-Khanapur Road stretch connects northern and southern parts of the City and is the only road available. Another, Kapileshwar Road has a narrow railway over bridge (ROB) and the need to pass from busy SPM Road which has been reduced to a passage due to encroachments and vendors occupying most part has been forcing people to use Belagavi-Khanapur road.

City Police last week had closed traffic on Rail Over Bridge, connecting Gogte Circle to Goaves, on trial basis, for analysing traffic movement that could increase on Congress Road after the road was closed for dismantling and reconstruction of ROB which could take about six months.

Four-day trials

The four-day trials, besides damaged Congress Road portion and huge potholes has slowed down vehicular movement and with rain, has made it difficult to distinguish where the road existed and where were the small to big potholes.

Works for Railway Over Bridge are expected to commence soon and condition of Congress Road has been posing threat of fatal accidents.

At many portions there were huge potholes and road portion too has been appearing like being chopped away to make way for ditches.

Digging that is being carried out besides the roads for laying of cables has further added to the problems with trenches getting formed upto long distances.

Review of works

Additional Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal during a meeting called to review the traffic and commencement of Railway Over Bridge works had assured that Congress Road portion was being repaired, but pace of works have made it difficult for people to commute.

Besides drainage chambers standing above the road in Camp area from Sambhaji Circle to Cantonment Board office too was posing threat.

Recent repair of chambers has exposed the work quality.