By Harshini Brahmavar
Pics: Kevin Rodrigues

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, May 11: The road widening and concreting work of Kadiyali-Parkala national highway 169 A, that started in October 2018, is progressing at a fast pace. However, as no provision has been made for pedestrians and vehicles, people are finding it difficult to commute on this stretch of the highway.

Traffic blocks have become an order of the day on this stretch of the national highway.

Dangerous Manipal Circle

Earlier, when the Tiger Circle existed, the pedestrians and vehicle riders did not face any issues. Now the circle has been removed for widening of the road. Earlier, there were sign boards alerting the public of impending dangers but now these signs do not exist.

Manipal is bustling with activity all the time. With renowned hospital and educational institutions, the commercial buildings have also added to the already dense traffic. If any outsider comes to this place, he or she would be at a loss how to cross the road. The plight of the elderly, physically challenged and children is really scary. It is not possible to properly judge the direction from which vehicles would approach them.

Few days for start of new academic year

Reopening of schools for the new academic year is less than three weeks away. The roadwork has to be completed before the end of May, in order to safeguard the lives of the children. If the rainy season starts before the road works are completed, it will add to the already existing problems.

Increase in number of accidents, three lives lost

From the day the road widening work was undertaken, one or the other accident keeps happening on this stretch. A number of people get hit by vehicles and get admitted to hospital with injuries or broken limbs. During the peak hours in the evening, the likelihood of accidents increases steeply. Many people have lost their lives while crossing the road in between Manipal and Kadiyali. Many of the accidents that take place during late night and wee hours do not come to light.

Indrali Railway Bridge, one more bottleneck

The road on one side of the bridge is elevated while the other is on a low gradient. No precaution seems to have been taken while constructing the road to make sure that it does not pose danger to people. Even a slight lapse of concentration on the part of the driver here can pose grave danger at this spot. The people are literally playing with risk when passing through this point everyday.

Half completed footpath and empty road dividers

Due to the incomplete work of the road, the mud on the sides has fallen on the road and this has been posing numerous problems for the pedestrians. Many people have reported having suffered breathing problems too.

Road divider area is left unfilled in order for the rain water to flow. This will pose problems during the rainy season for children to cross the road. In addition, mud, tools, pieces of concrete and stones are left at some places on the space meant for dividers. If the water overflows from the trenches there is no alternative arrangement in place to divert the excess water.

No proper drainage system

Right from the day the work of road widening started, the trench of cable wires is dug without any planning. In some places the trench is closed. The public are concerned as to how the rain water will flow under these circumstances. In certain places the concrete pipe that is used for drainage is left on the surface and at other places some mud is poured on them as cover.

Parking of vehicles on the road itself

The vehicle drivers and owners park their cars on the road itself. This poses problems for the pedestrians as they cannot view the approaching vehicles without coming to the middle of the road. In spite of the effort put by traffic police in educating the vehicle drivers and owners, this menace is still continuing.

Unscientific U-turns, sure trap for death

Many unscientific U-turns are provided between Kadiyali and Manipal. Barricades have been put to safeguard the lives of the pedestrians. However, this is not a permanent solution. The turn from Laxmindra Nagar to Syndicate Circle is extremely dangerous. Even a slight loss of concentration can lead to death. The pileup of mud that is put at the turn itself is also causing problems. Already cracks have appeared on the concrete road, which speak for the substandard quality of the concrete road.

Deputy commissioner (DC) of the district, Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, and SP, Nisha James, who inspected the national highway road widening work on the Udupi-Manipal road, have instructed the NHAI officials to complete the work before the start of Monsoon. However, at many places the work is half done.

DC has asked the NHAI officials to fix reflectors and road signs in order to save lives. She has also warned the NHAI officials of registering criminal cases against erring officials who show negligence on highway work that may cause problems during the rainy season.

It is necessary to put speed breakers/barricades on the road in order to control the speed of vehicles.

Precautionary measures that need to be taken

*Reflectors and sign boards at U-turns

*Managing of now empty road dividers

*Action has to be taken for smooth movement of vehicles at Indrali and other turns

*Parking of vehicles on the road needs to be stopped

*Suitable lighting arrangement needs to be provided at heavy traffic zones

*Sign boards mentioning alternate road need to be installed.

*The contractors need to take proper precautionary measures

*Safety reflector jackets have to be worn by the personnel who are executing road construction works. * Personnel need to be recruited to control traffic during the period road work is in progress.