Mangaluru: Roads across Mangaluru have increasingly turned into dangerous stretches for commuters, with crater-like potholes creating daily hazards — particularly for two-wheeler riders. Residents warn that if left unaddressed, the negligence could soon cost lives.
Close call at Nanthoor junction
Just days ago, a motorcyclist narrowly escaped serious injury after hitting a deep pothole at the busy Nanthoor junction. In what could have ended in tragedy, the driver of a Route 15 city bus noticed the incident in time and swerved to avoid a collision.
Authorities responded by hastily filling the pothole with loose stones and cement powder. However, commuters point out that the makeshift fix is already washing away due to rains, leaving the stretch unsafe once again. Several other potholes around Nanthoor junction remain untouched.
Past accident near Padil still ignored
Not all riders have been as fortunate. Last month, another motorcyclist lost control of his vehicle while navigating a pothole near Padil. That pothole remains unrepaired even weeks later, with commuters forced to risk the same stretch daily.
Entire routes — from Padil to Maroli, the Padil underpass, Nanthoor, Bendorwell, and Pumpwell to Kankanady — are dotted with potholes, making even short commutes unpredictable.
Auto drivers voice frustration
Auto drivers, whose livelihoods depend on these roads, are among the most vocal about the issue.
“It’s becoming impossible to drive without risking damage to our vehicles — or our passengers,” said Ravi, an auto driver at Pumpwell junction. “Why collect taxes or tolls when we don’t even get basic roads in return?”
Funds sanctioned but little change on the ground
What has left residents especially frustrated is the disconnect between sanctioned funds and actual road quality. A ₹26 crore project was recently cleared for the maintenance of the Surathkal to B C Road stretch. Yet commuters note that potholes along this very route remain unaddressed, while toll booths continue to operate without interruption.
“It’s absurd,” said Farheen D, a commuter. “We’re paying tolls for roads we can’t drive safely on. Where’s the accountability?”
Authorities accused of reactive approach
Locals allege that authorities only act after accidents occur. Even then, the response is limited to patching up the particular pothole involved, usually with temporary fixes. Neighbouring potholes, however, are left ignored until another mishap takes place.
This reactive approach, residents argue, fails to address the larger problem of systematic neglect. With rains continuing, commuters worry that road conditions will deteriorate further in the coming weeks.
Waiting for action
Despite repeated complaints and rising anger among motorists, little progress has been seen in improving Mangaluru’s road conditions. Civic activists suggest that only sustained pressure and accountability measures will ensure long-term solutions.
For now, commuters in Mangaluru remain trapped in a cycle of risk and frustration — navigating stretches where each pothole could spell disaster. The prevailing sentiment among residents is that authorities are waiting for a tragedy to occur before taking decisive action.