Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 23: The road leading to Mangaluru International Airport has become a major concern due to the rising number of accidents along this stretch. As a vital route for locals and travellers alike, it has witnessed a significant increase in mishaps, many of which have been fatal.

The absence of adequate safety measures continues to endanger both motorists and pedestrians despite the heavy traffic flow.

High Speeds and Traffic Violations

The airport road frequently experiences high vehicular movement, particularly with passengers rushing to catch flights. Traffic violations such as over-speeding are rampant, with vehicles often ignoring speed limits. This reckless behaviour has turned areas like Bondel, Kavoor, and Kenjar into accident hotspots.

Lack of Speed Breakers

Although the road passes by schools and colleges, the absence of speed breakers adds to its danger. Reluctance to install these traffic-calming measures stems from concerns that they might inconvenience VIPs traveling to the airport. This has made speeding easier and accidents more frequent.

Poor Street Lighting

Insufficient street lighting is another major factor contributing to accidents, particularly after Kunjathbail Cross. At night, this area plunges into complete darkness, making it challenging for drivers to spot potential hazards. The situation is even more precarious at the Maravoor Bridge, where the old bridge has been closed. Vehicles heading to Mangaluru must now detour towards the new bridge, but the absence of proper lighting makes signboards difficult to discern.

While streetlights are installed along parts of the airport road, they are dysfunctional in several sections. For instance, near the Maravoor Bridge, a collision between an auto and a car occurred two days ago, and another incident at Bondel involved a two-wheeler colliding with an Omni.

In some areas, no streetlights are present at all, leaving the road illuminated only by nearby hoarding lights.

Call for Action

Given the alarming rise in accidents, immediate measures are necessary to improve road safety. Installing speed breakers, enhancing street lighting, and enforcing traffic rules more strictly are essential steps to address these issues. Such improvements will help ensure the safety of all road users and reduce the frequency of accidents on this critical stretch.