Nantoor Junction on the Udupi-Kasaragod National Highway, which has witnessed several fatal accidents in the recent past, will see some modifications in the next three or four days, according to Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim.
Mr. Ibrahim visited the spot on Monday, three days after three persons, including a teacher and her son, were killed and a group of people staging a protest against the failure of the authorities to ensure safety of road users were lathi-charged on Friday night. Five people have been killed in road accidents in the recent past at the junction.
He said that a bus stop for vehicles going towards the KPT junction side will be shifted to prevent traffic congestion near Nantoor Junction, while the wide medians would be trimmed so that there is more space to negotiate the fairly big roundabout.
The Deputy Commissioner was also informed that the road leading to the junction from the KPT side would have two lanes to provide for a free left turn towards Bikarnakatte. Mr. Ibrahim said that flower vendors, affecting movement of the vehicles, would be shifted away from the junction. Traffic signals could not be installed on the national highways but this possibility would still be explored, he added.
A National Highways Authority of India official said that the proposed Rs. 53-crore underpass on the national highway was still pending with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The Deputy Commissioner and the police officer accompanying the team said that the construction of the underpass was the only permanent solution. Several people residing in the vicinity of the circle had petitioned Mr. Ibrahim to take urgent measures to prevent further accidents.
