MANGALORE: The Baikampady over-bridge on the Mangalore –Udupi stretch of the National Highway 17 has been a witness to frequent traffic blockades for hours together since the past one week. The reason for the same is obvious. The two large potholes present on the over bridge.
The vehicles in a bid to avoid these potholes are causing frequent traffic jams and serpentine queues of vehicles right from Baikampady upto Kulur has become a common sight. The problem has remained the same despite some bus drivers opting the Panambur beach road to come towards Baikampady.
Though the bridge was in the same condition even last monsoons, thanks to the movement of ore lorries, patch works had been initiated later on. However, the authorities had not bothered to bituminize the road until now leading to the present problem.
The motorists unaware of the depth of the potholes which are filled with water, try to cross it only for the tyres to get stuck.
The repeated appeal to the Highway Department as well as the frequent highlighting of the problem in the media has been of no use.
Traffic blockades are created even by some lorries which move in a haphazard manner and some which take a u-turn towards the industrial estate.
Just a few months ago, a lorry driver had lost his life after his vehicle dived off the bridge here. The side railings of the bridge which was then damaged, has not been repaired until now. Even the absence of proper streetlights on this prominent area, is contributing to the accidents.
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