Moodbidri: The key road connecting Aswatthapura and Kondebettu in Moodbidri is deteriorating rapidly due to the continuous movement of heavy vehicles, causing difficulties for motorists, pedestrians and local residents.
More than 50 tippers and several lorries reportedly use the road every day. The frequent movement of heavily loaded vehicles has damaged the asphalt at several locations, leaving behind numerous potholes. In some stretches, the road surface has been completely worn away, forcing motorists to slow down and navigate carefully.
Dust creates problems for residents
The deteriorated condition of the road has also created a dust problem. Vehicles passing through the damaged stretches raise large quantities of dust, which spreads to houses and shops located along both sides of the road.
Two-wheeler riders and pedestrians are particularly affected. Residents say the dust has become a regular nuisance and is causing health-related concerns.
The situation worsens during rainfall, when water accumulates in the potholes. The combination of damaged asphalt, water-filled potholes and heavy vehicle movement makes the road hazardous for commuters.
Concerns over overloaded tippers
Local residents have also expressed concern over the increasing movement of vehicles transporting construction materials, including stones.
They have alleged that some tippers carry loads beyond their permitted capacity and transport the material without adequate safety measures. Residents fear that stones could fall from overloaded vehicles onto the road, posing a serious risk to motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders travelling behind them.
The high-speed movement of tippers has further increased concerns among pedestrians and local motorists.
Road capacity questioned
Residents believe that the road has not been developed or maintained to withstand the volume of heavy vehicle traffic currently using it.
Questions have also been raised over whether the road’s carrying capacity and the expected volume and type of vehicle movement were adequately considered while constructing or repairing the road.
Locals say repeated patchwork repairs may not provide a lasting solution as long as heavy vehicle traffic continues at the current level.
They have called for a technical assessment of the road, including its quality and carrying capacity, followed by a permanent solution suited to the present traffic volume.
Residents seek stricter enforcement
Residents have urged the authorities to regulate heavy vehicle movement on the road and enforce existing rules on vehicle loads.
They have also demanded checks on overloaded vehicles and strict measures to ensure that stones and other construction materials are transported safely with proper covering.
Immediate repairs to the damaged stretches have also been sought to prevent further deterioration and reduce the risk to road users.
Schoolchildren and commuters at risk
The Aswatthapura-Kondebettu road is used not only by local residents but also by school and college students, employees and daily commuters.
The constant movement of heavy vehicles has made travelling along the road increasingly difficult, particularly during peak morning and evening hours.
Residents fear that the combination of potholes, dust, heavy vehicles and speeding tippers could lead to accidents if corrective measures are not taken.
They have appealed to the concerned authorities to inspect the road, regulate heavy vehicle movement, enforce load and safety norms and undertake durable road repairs at the earliest.