Harshini Brahmavar
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 14: A banner has come up in Ambalpady by the side of the national highway, that tells the plight of the locals who have been long demanding for an underpass. The banner, put up by National Highway Consumers Forum, Ambalpady, pays homage to Kuthpady Ramesh B, who died on the spot in a truck-bike accident at this point on the night of July 2.

The people of Ambalpady and nearby areas have always felt a need for underpass here since long back, when the plan to widen national highway was conceived. No work has so far been undertaken to meet the genuine need of the people. At the same time, work on a kilometre-long underpass near Karavali Circle is going on at full steam.

In addition to lack of underpass, Ambalpady citizens are also suffering because of not streamlining traffic movement there. Because of this, accidents keep happening. The spot where the land was dug up at the spot for laying drainage has been left as it is, posing further risk.

After the above tragic incident, a police constable has been stationed at Ambalpady to manage traffic. People bound for places like Santhekatte, Brahmavar, Kemmannu, Kunjarugiri etc do not have a proper bus stand or shelter to wait for their buses at Ambalpady. When it rains, the commuters have no other alternative but to stand in slush. The bus stand which once stood on the left side of Ambalpady Junction on the stretch between Karavali Circle and Ambalpady has been taken over for road widening work.

Those who have to cross the road at this junction have to think deeply and pray to the divine before crossing. At the same time, a large number people including school children have no other go but to cross the road here.

When the national highway four-laning was conceived about a decade back, it was also decided to construct either an underpass or fly over, taking into consideration future increase in traffic. But National Highways Authority of India has modified the design of the road.

Speaking to Daijiworld, social activist, Vishu Shetty Ambalpady, said that as per information he received about two months ago, the national highways authority was considering levelling of the highway at this spot. "A systematic plan to distort our demand is under way. The action committee is pooling details about this plan, but we are not able to get accurate details. Still, the committee will fight till the people here get a permanent solution to their problems," he stated.

The locals here always live under a cloud of apprehension about number of lives that would be lost before a permanent solution is provided to their problems at Ambalpady Junction on national highway.