Jeppu Market-Jeppinamogaru Road a nightmare for motorists

Gate at the railway level crossing and potholes slow down traffic

The autorickshaw cannot shy away from unmotorable spot on a road that connects city after the Nethravathi river near Moggair in Mangalore on Sunday Photo: R.Eswarraj

Those plying on the busy Jeppu Market-Jeppinamogaru Road (which joins the NH 66) are already bearing with traffic jams resulting from the intermittent closure of the railway gate at the Malakalipadpu level-crossing. Potholes on this road have only added to the misery of motorists.

Autorickshaw driver Riyaz said problems for motorists start from Jeppu Market where there is a big pothole. “We have to carefully negotiate this pothole to avoid vehicle overturn. Several motorcyclists have fallen off the vehicles while negotiating this pothole,” he said. Autorickshaws have been damaged while traversing the busy stretch.

An official from the Department of Stamps and Registration, who did not want to be named, said about the problem he faces between the Mahakalipadpu level-crossing and the Prestige School. “It is difficult to negotiate the big pothole near the Prestige school, more so during rainfall when it’s filled with water. We have to drive slowly to avoid damage to the lower portion of our cars,” said the officer, who uses the road to reach his office from his house in Ullal.

Lokesh, a two-wheeler mechanic who has a shop on this road, said several two-wheelers have broke down while negotiating the stretch near the under bridge that usually gets water logged following heavy rain.

“Generally water will be knee high here. Two-wheeler riders have to accelerate to avoid engine break down,” he said.

Several motorists have fallen off their vehicles while negotiating potholes near the railway level crossing

Mr. Lokesh said potholes and water logging on the road has been because of clogged storm water drains. “Few days ago, corporation personnel removed silt from a small portion of the drain near the railway level crossing.” Water logging has damaged the road that had been relayed just few months ago. The Corporation to take steps to fill up these potholes, he said.

Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner Harish Kumar said potholes have come up on several city roads. Works to fill up the potholes will be taken up when the rain recedes, he said.