Report & Pics - Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MM/RD)

Puttur, Sep 4: Mangalore is the only district capital, which enjoys all the three modes of transport. But the city lacks the proper connectivity with the state capital, Bangalore. No one knows when the passenger train between Mangalore and Bangalore will start.

On the other hand, the National Highway (NH) 48, which connects the state capital with the port city, lies in dire need of repairs. The huge potholes on Shiradi Ghat, between Sakleshpur and Nellyady make the journey unbearable for the motorists. The centre has already sanctioned money for its repairs while the monsoon has delayed the work. Traffic jam has almost become routine on Shirady Ghat.

Once again heavy traffic jam was found at Bollar, between Uppinangady and Mani, 2 kms away from Uppinangady. The highway authorities have started concreting this portion of NH. But the concreting has not been finished yet. Huge potholes have been formed on one side of the road which makes it impossible for the motorists to drive.  Moreover, an elephant was used here to lift a truck which was stuck in this pothole. So the motorists had no other way that waiting for long hours on the Ghat on Tuesday September 4.

The traffic between Bangalore and Mangalore was delayed for hours on Tuesday owing to traffic jam at Bollar. The passengers who travel on this route have been cursing our great leaders and authorities, for not taking interest in spite of worsened NH.

But as usual they know well that come what may, the bad roads of the district may have to wait for years together to see tarring.