Udupi: Beware! Dangerous potholes on national highway at Santhekatte

Team Udayavani, Jun 28, 2024, 6:16 PM IST

Udupi: The ongoing construction of the vehicular overpass at Santhekatte is progressing, and although a newly constructed section allows traffic on one side of the road, large and dangerous potholes have become a daily ordeal for motorists.

Before merging onto the new road from Udupi to Kundapura, two large potholes at the end of the new road are causing significant issues for drivers. A slight lapse in attention could lead to serious accidents.

These potholes are growing larger each day. Cars, buses, and two-wheelers are navigating these roads unaware of the hidden dangers. Water from rain conceals these potholes, making them difficult to spot.

Drivers maintain expressway speeds, unaware of the hazards. When vehicles hit these potholes, the impact damages tires, disks, and the entire suspension system. For two-wheelers, the risk of skidding and losing control is also high.

Highway Authority’s Inaction

Given the ongoing construction, the highway authority should prioritize commuter safety. Temporary solutions like filling potholes with wet mix could ease traffic flow and prevent accidents. However, local residents and drivers expressed dissatisfaction with the highway authority’s lack of action.

Temporary Measures for Potholes

Meanwhile, the highway authority has stated that temporary repairs will be carried out for the potholes at the beginning and end of the new road at Santhekatte. Previous repairs were washed away by heavy rains. The authority assured that steps will be taken to ensure these potholes are adequately patched to prevent inconvenience to commuters.