PADUBIDRI : The mini-bridge at Katapady on the NH 17 has been a mute spectator to the several accidents that have taken place at the spot. The reason for most of the accidents here is the absence of the side railings of this bridge since the past six years.
The side railing had been damaged after a vehicle hit the bridge around six year ago. Since then several accidents have taken place here. Just recently, a mini bus in which people who were returning to Mangalore after taking part in the Pattabhisheka Mahotsava of the Vishwakarma seer at Katapady, were traveling, had overturned here claiming the life of a young woman from Kotekar.
Except for the Katapady Gram Panchayat putting up a sign board here, saying “ Bridge wall has collapsed, Drive slowly’ ( Now even this sign board is on the drain), nothing much has been done. The local administration too has not bothered to prevail upon the National Highway Department to erect railings to the bridge.
The Udupi’s in-charge DC Prabhaker who had arrived at the spot, no sooner the recent accident took place had even directed the highway department to take steps to repair the railings. Let alone repair the bridge, the NH authorities have until now not even been courteous enough to visit the spot which had claimed an innocent life.
Presently a barricade had been placed by the police department here. God knows when even this barricade would be thrown off guard by some speeding vehicle. Will the departments concerned wake up from their slumber, before some major mishap takes place here ?
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