Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 3: A toddler had to pay the price of negligence on the part of authorities with his life. In a gory accident which happened at Parkala near Manipal on the evening of Monday October 2, the child in question, identified as Chirag, lost his life because of despicable condition of the road.

Chirag was the 18-month-old son of Umesh Poojary and Pramoda couple from Pitrody, Udyavar near here. Umesh was riding the motor bike while Pramoda was seated in the pillion with her child in her arms, when the accident happened.

When the couple was moving towards Atrady, the wheels of the bike skidded when negotiating potholes dotting the highway opposite Panduranga Tower in Herga, Parkala. Both Pramoda and Chirag fell to the road in the accident. The child, which suffered grave injuries to his skull, passed away.

Parkala road

File Photos (Manipal)

Most part of the road from Syndicate Circle at Manipal towards Parkala and farther has become unmotorable on account of potholes and damaged stretches. Several protests organized by activists and organizations have failed to force district administration and government to address this problem. One hopes that the death of a child might at least awaken the authorities from their slumber and force them to act before more such tragedies happen.

Both Umesh Poojary and Pramoda have been admitted into KMC Hospital Manipal for treatment of their wounds, which are not of serious nature. A case about the accident stands registered in Manipal police station.

The state highway between the town and Agumbe was upgraded as national highway No 169A due to the efforts put in by Rajya Sabha member, Oscar Fernandes, during the fag end of UPA government's regime at the centre. The road was converted into national highway between Malpe and Thirthahalli. However, neither has the highway been repaired since then nor work on national highway begun during the last four years ever since. Several protests including a few led by social activist, Nityananda Olakadu, who tried to attract attention of the government to the problem by way of undertaking fishing and swimming in stagnant water of craters former on the road, have failed to evoke any concrete response so far. Though the road was temporarily repaired, it has deteriorated again due to rains.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike had held protest on September 16 on this issue, and the authorities had promised then that the road repair work would be undertaken within ten days from then. Even after two weeks since the deadline elapsed, nothing has been done to mitigate hardships of road users.

The people are angry at their Lok Sabha member, Shobha Karandlaje. Many are heard commenting that she is not visible in her constituency in general and the district in particular. How many more deaths would it need to get the government to do something to address this issue, people have been heard wondering.