Ravi, a resident of Silver Gate in Kulashekar, is not surprised at the potholes resurfacing and hindering traffic movement on the busy Mangalore – Moodbidri road.
“This is filled every summer and opens up just as it rains,” said Mr. Ravi, who stays close to the place where the potholes have come up. “There have been a number of motorists who have fallen off their vehicles negotiating these potholes in the last few days.”
Mr. Ravi said a young couple were injured on Tuesday evening after falling down from the scooter. Motorists and residents have been having problems because of these potholes located at a turn near Kulashekar. “It becomes difficult to notice these potholes after sunset as there are no lights here. The problem increases during and after rainfall as these potholes cannot be seen,” said Vasudev Kamat, a motorist.
Motorists have to slow down and move to their left to avoid potholes. G. Ramachandra, a local resident said, several times water has splashed on students walking to schools in Kulshekar. “A week ago, student had injury on his head when he was hit by stone that flew up after a car sped away,” Mr. Ramachandra said.
Some motorists coming down from Moodbidri side towards the city have fallen into the drain while negotiating potholes, he said.
The residents said authorities have failed to address the problems including that of storm water flowing on to the road. “With no response from authorities, we, on several occasions, have filled these potholes that give relief only for few days,” said Mr. Ramachandra, who has given a portion of his property for the road.
MCC respondsLocal councillor Bhaskar K. said it was not within the purview of the Mangalore City Corporation to repair the road stretch as it was part of the State Highway. “Like last time we have to fill these potholes this year too,” Mr. Bhaskar said and added that the MCC’s division looking at rain related works will take up the work of filling potholes in the next two days.
