Punjalkatte-Charmadi section on NH73 turns into slush field after Friday’s rainfall

Team Udayavani, Apr 20, 2024, 10:09 AM IST

Belthangady: The sudden rains on Friday turned the Punjalakattee-Charmadi section of the National Highway-73 into a slush field.

For the past year, 4-laning work has been underway on this section of the National Highway. The highway traffic has been severely affected as the road has been completely dug up and turned into a dirt track.

Locals said the road has become muddy, leading to hazardous conditions for motorists. On Friday night, several two-wheeler vehicles skidded and fell. The treacherous conditions are causing traffic disruptions early Saturday morning.

According to locals, both contractors and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) bear direct responsibility for this unscientific approach to development. Typically, road construction involves completing one side before moving to the other. However, in this case, entire sections of the road have been dug up, they said.

The Ujire to Charmadi road has deteriorated to such an extent that even emergency ambulances cannot access it, they added.