Pics: Nithin Pereira

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NP)

Udupi, Jul 3: Despite the completion of the much-awaited Santhekatte underpass, the stretch continues to face a major civic issue, as the newly installed streetlights remain non-functional at night.

The absence of lighting has left both the underpass and the adjoining service roads in complete darkness, causing inconvenience and raising safety concerns for commuters and pedestrians.

Residents and regular commuters said that walking through the area after sunset has become difficult due to poor visibility. During the monsoon, the lack of lighting makes it nearly impossible to identify waterlogged patches on the road, increasing the risk of accidents. Motorists also find it challenging to navigate the stretch safely without proper illumination, especially during heavy rain and at night.

Locals pointed out that although the infrastructure has been completed, essential facilities such as functioning streetlights have yet to be made operational. They urged the concerned authorities to immediately switch on the streetlights and ensure proper maintenance to enhance road safety and convenience for the public.

The issue has sparked concern among daily commuters, who hope the authorities will address the problem without further delay.