Mangaluru: Tension gripped the Kottara Chowki stretch of National Highway 66 on Tuesday after a fatal scooter accident at Kulur triggered a clash between local residents and highway contractors tasked with road repair.
Fatal accident sparks anger
The incident occurred in the morning when Madhavi, a scooter rider, lost her life after falling into a pothole near the Kulur flyover. The accident immediately raised concerns over the poor condition of the highway, which has been plagued by potholes for months.
Following the mishap, the National Highway Authority directed contractors to undertake urgent pothole-filling work along the Kottara Chowki stretch. However, the move did little to calm local residents, who accused the authorities and contractors of negligence that had cost a woman her life.
Locals confront contractors
As contractors began repair work, a group of locals gathered at the spot, expressing grief and anger. Heated arguments broke out, with residents alleging that repeated complaints about the dangerous state of the highway had gone unheard.
The situation soon escalated when the verbal confrontation turned physical. A scuffle broke out between the residents and the workers, drawing more attention as videos of the incident spread rapidly across social media platforms.
Police intervention
Kavoor police rushed to the scene to control the situation and restore order. Both parties were taken to the police station for inquiry. Police later confirmed that an NCR (Non-Cognizable Report) had been registered in connection with the clash.
While no arrests have been reported so far, authorities assured that further investigations would be conducted to determine accountability for the incident.
Outrage over highway safety
The tragic death of Madhavi has once again sparked widespread outrage over the state of roads in Dakshina Kannada. Locals argue that poor road maintenance, especially on busy stretches like NH-66, continues to put commuters at risk.
Social media users condemned the incident, demanding accountability from both contractors and officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Call for accountability
The incident highlights the growing frustration among citizens over road safety lapses and inadequate infrastructure. Residents have urged the government and NHAI to ensure long-term solutions rather than temporary repairs that often fail within weeks.
As public anger mounts, questions remain on whether stricter action will be taken against contractors or if this tragedy will join the long list of road mishaps attributed to poor maintenance.