Even a fortnight after rain subsiding, the battered B.C. Road-Surathkal Port Connectivity Road still paints a pathetic picture while the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is content with executing raw patchwork on some affected stretches.
Motoring has become a nightmare right from Surathkal till Nanthoor on NH66 that passes through the busy New Mangalore Port stretch and from Nanthoor to B.C. Road on NH 75 that connects the coast with hinterland, including Bengaluru.
Busy junctions, namely Honnakatte-Kulai, Baikampady, KIOCL, Kulur, Kottara and Nanthoor sport not just potholes, but deep and wide craters that bring vehicles to a grinding halt before proceeding. Vehicle owners and drivers who pay hefty tolls at NITK-Surathkal and Brahmarakootlu-B.C. Road were seen constantly complaining about the mess.
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With the repair works said to have been executed at a cost of ₹8 crore before this monsoon giving way within a month since, NHAI had said it has awarded restoration contract at a cost of ₹21 crore this time. Krishna Mohan, a regular traveller between Mangaluru and Udupi said NHAI’s attitude was appalling as travellers had to go through thick clouds of dust in addition facing to a bumpy journey.
Members of MCC Civic Group, a group of concerned citizens of Mangaluru, had to stage a protest at Nanthoor Circle recently after which NHAI executed some patchwork on the main carriageway. By Monday noon, it had asphalted the battered left turn from the Udupi direction towards Bengaluru at the junction. But this will not last long as only patchwork has been done instead of complete asphalting of the affected area, many fear.
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Work taken up
MP and State BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel told The Hindu that the authority has commenced repair work from the B.C. Road end. It has deployed two asphalting machines. Two more would be deployed from Surathkal-end from Tuesday, he said. Meanwhile, he has called a meeting of officials from NHAI and other departments on Tuesday to expedite the work.
The NHAI is also concreting the busy Honnakatte Junction between Kulai and Surathkal while similarly affected stretches of Baikampady, Panambur, Kulai and Kottara Chowki continue to remain in a battered condition.