Mangaluru: Days after Bengaluru made headlines for its viral pothole protests, Mangaluru has now come under scrutiny for its deteriorating road conditions. CCTV footage accessed by NDTV shows a couple being thrown off their two-wheeler after hitting a deep pothole on the Valencia–Goriguda Road, reigniting concerns over civic negligence in Karnataka’s cities.
CCTV footage reveals road hazard
The incident, captured late on Wednesday evening, shows the couple losing control of their vehicle after it struck a large pothole filled with rainwater. Both sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The footage has since gone viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism against the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) for failing to maintain urban roads despite repeated complaints from residents.
Local motorists say the Valencia–Goriguda stretch has been in poor condition for months, with uneven surfaces and open drains posing a danger to commuters, especially two-wheeler riders.
Public outrage and civic response
The incident sparked widespread outrage online, with users tagging civic officials and demanding immediate repairs. “How many more accidents will it take for the authorities to act?” one social media user posted.
Following the outcry, MCC officials reportedly inspected the road on Thursday morning and assured that temporary repairs would be undertaken immediately, followed by asphalt resurfacing once the monsoon recedes.
Recurring problem in Karnataka cities
The incident echoes similar civic concerns in Bengaluru, where a wave of public protests and viral social media campaigns recently forced the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to take urgent action on pothole repairs.
Transport safety experts note that poor drainage, substandard road materials, and delayed maintenance contracts are key reasons behind recurring pothole-related accidents across Karnataka.
Conclusion
While the couple is recovering, the Mangaluru pothole incident has reignited the debate over road safety and civic accountability in the state. Citizens continue to urge local bodies to prioritise long-term road infrastructure reforms instead of short-term patchwork solutions that fail during heavy rains.