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Padubidri: The challenge for the pedestrian is to not to get killed!

In comparison to the national highway between Talapady and Hejmady and from Mani to Mangaluru, the condition of the national highway after Hejmady is manageable. But the problem existing here is different. Pedestrians and people from the nearby villages are compelled to wait for a couple of minutes to cross the road. A team of Udayavani reporters have created a list of problems plaguing the NH 66 passing through Udupi district and this is the first report.

Udupi: One enters Udupi district via Hejmady toll plaza along NH 66. The problems that start from there are very different. Travelling along the same highway from B C Road to Hejmady, there are not only several problems which keep repeating themselves, but ever more problems are noticed. Vehicles coming from the wrong side here, pedestrians finding it a colossal challenge to cross the road, haphazardly placed barricades and thus, a new variety of problems.

They cannot be questioned for this

Be it the national highway department, or the company collecting toll after creating the road unscientifically, or the district administration which readily gives police protection so that toll is forcibly collected from the people, or the representatives of the people, will give an answer to the question by the villagers regarding why they do not have service roads or skywalks? All of them are united in not taking any responsibility. Accordingly, hundreds of people from Hejmady Matlu, Shivanagar and other areas and those proceeding towards the school and religious places are compelled to cross the highway on a daily basis. All of them must cross the road under the dark cloud of grave danger. A vehicle might come and hit anytime. If they do not get hit y a vehicle, it’s just good luck. An overpass or an overbridge or a skywalk must have been installed for them to cross the road. None of that is there. Hence, there is a danger that pedestrians may come under the wheels of some vehicles.

No service road

More vehicles pass through the wrong side on the road from Padubidri to Ayyappa Nagar. This careless movement along the wrong side of the road has caused many an accident. The locals here are demanding for a service road. Most of the vehicles proceeding from Padubidri Bidu to Hejmady side move along the wrong side itself! Lack of service road is the main cause for this. Again, from Sujjan Gate till Hejmady, this wrong side riding persists.

The bridge that never rose

The work on Kalsanka Bridge at Padubidri is stuck in the middle. Traffic movement here is dangerous. This pothole-ridden road is a spectacular example to the negligence of the highway department officials and the contractor.

Every second at Karkala junction is a danger. The failure to build a much-required overpass here has caused a lot of problems. There are no bus stops here for those waiting for buses to go towards Mangaluru or Udupi and this is causing the problem to the travellers daily. The temporarily created bus stop lacks the space to accommodate travellers. The problem becomes a monster during monsoons. The ground turns muddy, the nearby road is but a drain for the rainwater, vehicles all around, buses, over speeding vehicles and amidst all this chaos, moving by not losing one’s life is a fantastic challenge. The diversion provided in front of Narayana Guru temple acts only to increase the danger.

The daily problem at Padubidri

Now comes the issue of Padubidri. The four-laning work at most of the locations is stuck at 50% and although 4 years have passed, the road work at Padubidri was never been completed. Finally, before the last monsoon, the road was completed. However, the issue regarding the construction of a service road is a mirage. Along the way proceeding towards Mangaluru, gravel has been placed for the service road which presently has turned muddy and the passing of people and vehicles is insurmountable.