‘Give us at least one usable road in Santhekatte’, pleads public in Udupi

Team Udayavani, Sep 23, 2024, 9:18 AM IST

Udupi: The condition of the road at Santhekatte has deteriorated to such an extent that even a single road, suitable for two-way traffic, seems like a distant dream for the daily commuters. Despite it being a National Highway, the negligence towards its maintenance is baffling to the residents and road users.

Local motorists, struggling with the daily commute, are not demanding four-lane highways but at least one road that is safe and functional. The current state of the Santhekatte road has turned into a daily ordeal, showcasing a massive failure of the National Highway Authority, district administration, and elected representatives, including MPs and MLAs.

The public expressed frustration over the lack of any substantial progress, blaming not just the current administration but also former MPs, ministers, and MLAs for contributing to this long-standing issue. For years, the main Udupi-Manipal road remained without street lights, forcing commuters to navigate in darkness, which is considered the first major failure of the system. The construction of the Indrali bridge has also seen significant delays, dragging on for years. Similarly, the Santhekatte road stands as another glaring example of administrative inefficiency.

Despite repeated pleas to the National Highway Authority of India and district administration, no tangible progress has been made. Citizens often see their representatives and officials visiting the site and inspecting the road, but their actions seem to fade away soon after, leaving the issue unresolved.

Challenging to Drive in Santhekatte

Driving on Santhekatte road has now become a significant challenge, and this situation has persisted for nearly one and a half years. Whenever media coverage highlights the problem, a temporary fix is applied by pouring gravel and stone dust into the potholes. However, this lasts for just a few days before the stones resurface, making the potholes larger and more dangerous. Commuters are left to endure the same hardships again. Many vehicle users express their inability to avoid these potholes, no matter how carefully they drive.

Ambulance Drivers’ Struggles

While the inconvenience affects all, ambulance drivers face a particularly grim reality. These drivers carry patients who are often in critical condition, racing against time to reach hospitals. Under normal circumstances, ambulances travel at speeds of 100-120 km/h to save lives. However, on this stretch of road, such speeds are impossible due to the road’s poor condition. Ambulances are forced to crawl along at speeds as low as 10 km/h.

This delay can cost valuable time when every second counts in life-saving situations. Patients being transported to hospitals like Manipal and Udupi’s district hospital come not just from the local area but from neighboring districts as well. Public outrage stems from the belief that these critical issues are being overlooked by the authorities.

Public Demand for Immediate Action

The residents demand that the district administration, MPs, and other elected representatives take the necessary steps to address the National Highway Authority’s inefficiency. The public believes that if these leaders truly emphasize the hardships faced by the common people and hold the highway contractors accountable, the situation can be resolved. Citizens are urging the authorities to stop delaying and ensure that the road is repaired properly, restoring safety and smooth transportation.

This issue has become a symbol of the growing dissatisfaction among the public, who now await immediate and effective action from those in power.

~ Translated version of Kannada article by Raju Kharvi Koderi