Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Jun 20: People are risking their lives by waiting for buses on the national highway due to the lack of a proper bus stop. Students, senior citizens, and others are forced to wait on the busy highway, which poses a significant risk to their safety.
The bus stop in Santhekatte has been demolished to make way for the construction of an underpass. As a result, people traveling by bus from Santhekatte to Udupi have no choice but to wait on the national highway. A makeshift wall made of metal sheets has been erected, but it is in a broken state, making it unsafe for commuters to wait there. Additionally, students and pedestrians face difficulties crossing the road due to heavy traffic, as vehicles from all four directions create multiple diversions. The heavy traffic causes students to take a long time to cross the road, and it is particularly unsafe for school-going children to wait on such a busy road for a bus.
During rainy weather, the situation worsens. As there is no bus stop, commuters hold umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain. However, on the national highway, the wind generated by passing vehicles can easily pull away their umbrellas, posing a significant risk, especially for school-going children. Furthermore, the water splashed by vehicles drenches the commuters completely. A temporary bus stop is urgently needed to ensure the safety of commuters.
Deputy commissioner Kurma Rao M has warned the project director of NH66 to address the issue of the Santhekatte underpass. Following an order from MP Shobha Karandlaje, the underpass work was halted, and it is set to resume in September, taking into consideration the current situation on the national highway. As a temporary solution, the construction area has been covered with tarpaulin, and bags filled with soil have been placed to protect it from wind and rain. The tarpaulin will safeguard the corners of the dugout area and reduce the risk of the collapse of the national highway.
The construction of the Santhekatte underpass aims to facilitate the smooth flow of vehicular traffic and help pedestrians cross the road. However, it seems that the construction work is causing more problems than before. MP Shobha Karandlaje, former MLA Raghupathi Bhat, and others laid the foundation for the construction of the overpass on January 12. The work was initially expected to be completed by the end of May, but due to rock-related interruptions, it has been delayed, causing growing concerns among the public.