Bantwal: The Vittal-Kanyana road has deteriorated severely, with potholes making travel difficult and dangerous for motorists. Frustrated by what they describe as administrative inaction, residents have put up satirical posters along the roadside to draw attention to the worsening condition of the road.
The road is an important link connecting Vittal with Bairikatte and Kanyana and further towards Uppala and Manjeshwar in Kerala. More than 1,000 vehicles reportedly use the route every day, making its poor condition a major concern for commuters and transport operators.
Dangerous stretch raises safety concerns
The stretch between Kanathadka and Kanyana is particularly hazardous, with several sharp curves along the route. A reserve forest lies on one side of the road, while a deep gorge borders the other side at several points.
Motorists face considerable difficulty negotiating the damaged stretch, especially when two heavy vehicles approach each other. The large potholes force drivers to slow down or move towards the edges of the already narrow carriageway, increasing the risk of accidents.
During the monsoon, the situation has become more challenging as rainwater accumulates in the potholes and makes it difficult for motorists to assess their depth. The damaged surface also increases the likelihood of two-wheelers losing balance.
Residents say the condition of the road has reached a stage where merely carrying out temporary repairs is no longer sufficient.
Temporary repairs failed to provide lasting solution
The road had witnessed a similar deterioration last year when large potholes appeared across the stretch. At the time, local residents resorted to a novel form of protest by putting up a signboard announcing the ‘funeral’ of officials, criticising them for failing to repair the road.
The unusual protest attracted attention and prompted the authorities to undertake patchwork repairs on the road.
However, residents claim that the temporary repairs did not provide a lasting solution. With the arrival of the monsoon this year, the repaired portions have once again deteriorated, while new potholes have emerged across the road.
Locals have now renewed their demand for comprehensive road development instead of repeated patchwork.
Heavy lorry movement adds to road damage
Residents have also raised concerns over the large number of heavy vehicles using the route. Hundreds of lorries transporting bauxite soil from villages including Kanyana and Karopadi reportedly travel along the road every day.
According to local residents, the volume of heavy traffic is significantly higher than what the road can withstand. The continuous movement of loaded lorries is believed to be accelerating the deterioration of the road surface.
The impact is not restricted to potholes. The edges of the road have also reportedly started caving in at several locations due to the combination of heavy traffic, rain and the weakened road surface.
Residents fear that further deterioration could make the route even more dangerous, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall when visibility is reduced and the road surface becomes slippery.
Locals warn of major protest
The worsening road condition has led to growing anger among residents and regular commuters. The satirical posters put up along the roadside are intended to highlight the frustration of the public over what they perceive as repeated neglect.
Villagers have warned that they will organise a large-scale protest if the concerned department fails to take immediate action.
Residents are demanding that the authorities inspect the entire Vittal-Kanyana stretch and undertake permanent repairs based on the actual traffic load. They have also called for measures to prevent further damage caused by excessive heavy-vehicle movement.
Given the road’s importance as a link between parts of Dakshina Kannada and northern Kerala, locals say ensuring its safety should be treated as an urgent priority.
With the monsoon continuing, residents fear that delaying repairs could result in further damage and increase the risk to motorists. They have therefore urged the authorities to move beyond temporary patchwork and implement a durable solution before the condition of the road worsens further.