The highway specialty here is confusing junctions!

Team Udayavani, Sep 26, 2019, 12:02 PM IST

Brahmavar Akashvani junction

There are accident prone zones in Brahmavar and Saligrama areas and along the NH 66, the problems seen towards Udupi also extends towards Brahmavar. Confusion is the daily phenomenon faced by pedestrians’ and vehicle users at the junctions. The existence of service road has not turned fruitful either. The overpass is more of a problem than a solution. The four-lane national highway has become an impediment in the day-to-day life here.

Udupi: Imagine that you have coming down from the overpass and right ahead lies Brahmavar’s renowned Akashvani junction. Eight roads merge to this area full of difficulties! The other problem here is that halting of buses. Here, vehicles coming from Brahmavar overpass turn towards the right to proceed towards Barkur. Those proceeding straight will reach Kundapur. Since this is a four-lane road, vehicles from four roads meet here. Besides, vehicles coming from Barkur and local vehicles proceeding along the service road beside the flyover also merger here. Amidst this, buses coming from Kundapur stop beside the flyover to deboard passengers and proceed towards Brahmavar bus stand. Hence traffic density at Akashvani junction is always high. It is a fight between vehicles here. Buses adamantly do not stop at the designated bus stops and the passengers simply do not make use of the bus stop. The buses too, stop in the junction itself, next to the dwara. “Only by widening the area here and by placing a circle will this situation be resolved,” says local merchant Udaya.

Those wanting to go towards car street must select the route here itself and due to this fact, there is always a persisting confusion here. Here too, the national highways department and the contracting company should have observed the daily problem faced by the people here and provided solution. But that has not happened. Hence, while coming down from the overpass, (on either side – at the point where Kundapur meets with Brahmavar and for those coming from Udupi at the end of the overpass) barricades placed by the police welcomes the vehicles.

Saligrama junction

Saligrama junction

Shortcuts by two-wheelers!

In their attempts for shortcuts, two wheeler users attempt to cross the road at illegal points, chiefly at the gaps left between the roads for rain water to pass which soon becomes a cause for accidents. Shockingly, at some places, school children also attempt the same maneuvers of the adults by attempting to cross the road on their cycles through shortcuts. Earlier once, in response to the demands by the people, iron rods were placed to block the shortcuts, but at several locations, these rods have been ripped off and motorists have reverted back to their haphazard method of crossing the road by putting their lives as well as everyone else’s life in mortal danger.

Although land has been acquired, work remains pending!

Saligrama junction witnesses accidents on a daily basis. There are two temples here the highway here is a winding progression. Those attempting a turn at the junction cannot see the vehicles coming along the highway. Land has been acquired here for the construction of service roads here, but they have not been constructed. Hence, vehicle users resort to the haphazard style of wrong-side driving. A service road is required, at least from Karkada cross to the fish market, demand the locals. Just to reach a distance of 50M, the locals here are forced to instead take a roundabout route of 2.5 km. the demand for service roads at Kota has also remained unfulfilled.

Barricade

The highway after Tekkatte may be devoid of potholes and appears to be comfortable. Barricades have been installed at a total of 6 locations including Trkkatte, Kumbhashi, Koteshwar, Hangaluru, near Surgeon Hospital and near Durgamba. Although there has been a demand for a service road from Bejadi to Koteshwar, only a single service road was created following continuous fights. Service roads have been created on either side from Koteshwar to Sangama. But the easy entrance into Kundapur market area is possible only after the highway ends.

 Saligrama service road

The lack of service road, winding highway route, failure to provide diversions at essential points have all joined together to cause problems. If the rickshaw proceeds to travel further ahead, turn and come back, the passenger stops the vehicle in the middle of the way and will cross the road on foot. But we are compelled to go ahead, take the turn and come back. It’s a loss for us. The diversion in front of Sastan toll gate was unnecessary. Eights roads merge in at Saligrama junction. Since the construction of this road, many innocents have lost their lives – Raghavendra, Auto Rickshaw Driver, Saligrama

You too can inform of any problem

Udayavani’s aim is to put an end to the rise in the number of accidents occurring along NH 75 and NH 66 which pass through DK district. You can provide your suggestions and opinions regarding these two national highways by Whatsapp with photos to 9632369999