Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)

Udupi, Aug 8: Ottinene, a significant location that lies in the boundary between Udupi and Uttara Kannada has become a nightmare for the passengers who travel on this stretch of National Highway 17. Owing to the long queue of manganese ore-laden trucks, traffic bottleneck has become common here.

The condition of NH that passes through the coastal Karnataka has worsened recently. The pot holes along the roads have made the journey a worst experience to any one. Manganese ore-laden trucks are blamed for the ill state of this stretch of NH. Hence, the district administration of Udupi has imposed restrictions on these trucks.

On the other hand, the weigh-bridge located at Ottinene was restored to function, in order to weigh the pay load when the ore-laden trucks arrive.  Since it developed some technical difficulties, recently, the trucks were not allowed into Udupi district without the tag of being weighed of its pay load at Ottinene. This has aggravated the traffic woes.

The automobiles which travel on NH already take excess time owing to bad roads. On the other hand, the traffic chaos at Ottinene has contributed for the delayed journey. The passengers who travel between Bhatkal, Goa, Hubli and Mumbai by road are facing difficulties to reach the destination on time, owing to worsened road condition and traffic bottlenecks. Hence, the journey here is a bitter experience to anyone. No one knows how soon the problem would be resolved. Moreover the district administration seems to be not in a position to understand the difficulties of commoners.