Pics: Thejaswi U Poojary
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Jun 10: The road connecting National Highway 169A to Indrali Railway Station, one of the busiest stretches in the city, has fallen into a state of severe disrepair, causing concern among daily commuters, residents, and tourists.
Thousands of people, including railway passengers and visitors arriving in Udupi, use this road every day. However, instead of a welcoming entry to the city, travellers are greeted by a badly damaged road marked by uneven surfaces and deteriorating infrastructure.
The road leading to Indrali Railway Station has worn out completely at several places, making travel difficult and unsafe. The stretch near a vehicle service centre has become particularly hazardous due to its narrow width. The situation has worsened as interlocking blocks have come loose, creating an uneven surface that poses risks to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
Residents have also highlighted serious drainage issues along the route. According to locals, the rainwater drain originating from NH 169A has been cut off midway, forcing rainwater to flow directly onto the road during showers. In addition, the existing drainage system has reportedly not been cleaned for a long time, resulting in poor water flow and waterlogging during the monsoon season.
The road leading to the railway station goods shed has deteriorated significantly over the years and is now in a deplorable condition. The goods shed serves as an important logistics hub where consignments from various parts of the country arrive by rail and are subsequently transported to different locations across Udupi district. As a result, the stretch witnesses the regular movement of heavy trucks and goods vehicles throughout the day.
The continuous movement of heavy vehicles, coupled with a lack of timely maintenance, has left the road riddled with potholes, damaged surfaces, and uneven patches, making travel difficult and unsafe. The road also serves as a vital access route for several nearby residential localities, forcing residents, schoolchildren, office-goers, and other commuters to navigate the damaged stretch on a daily basis.
During the monsoon, the situation worsens as rainwater accumulates in potholes and damaged portions of the road, making it difficult for motorists to assess their depth and increasing the risk of accidents. The stagnant water remains on the road for extended periods due to poor drainage, creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and raising concerns about the spread of vector-borne diseases. Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of repairs and have urged the authorities to take immediate action to restore the road and improve drainage facilities in the area.
An auto-rickshaw driver who regularly uses the road to ferry passengers to and from the railway station expressed concern over its worsening condition.
“The road near the vehicle service centre has completely deteriorated. We face difficulties every day while using this stretch. Since the road is very narrow, it is difficult for two vehicles to pass simultaneously. Construction work on one side has made the road edge steep, and several vehicles have slipped off the edge. Many times, people have had to help lift fallen vehicles. We request the authorities to undertake repair works immediately. The drainage from the highway towards the railway station has also been cut off midway, causing rainwater to flow onto the road and creating difficulties for pedestrians,” he said.
The concerned authorities are urged to immediately undertake road repair works, restore the damaged drainage network, and ensure proper maintenance of the stretch. With the arrival of the monsoon, any delay in addressing these issues could lead to accidents and inconvenience thousands of road users.
The public has appealed to the district administration and municipal authorities to treat the matter as a priority and improve the condition of this important road leading to one of Udupi's key transportation hubs.