Mangaluru: Citizens have petitioned authorities against toll and road tax collection despite highways and city roads being riddled with potholes and unsafe conditions.

Citizens demand accountability for poor roads

Mangaluru: Residents of Dakshina Kannada and Mangaluru city have voiced strong opposition to the continued collection of road tax and toll charges, citing the deteriorating condition of highways and arterial city roads.

A formal representation, submitted to the deputy commissioner, police authorities, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Regional Transport Authority, highlighted the glaring gap between revenue collected and services delivered.

The petition, spearheaded by Dr B Radheshyam of Konchady, pointed out that several stretches of NH-66 and arterial roads within Mangaluru are riddled with potholes, bottlenecks, and broken surfaces. According to him, these conditions are directly linked to frequent accidents, serious injuries, and fatalities.

Accident statistics underline urgency

Citing official data, the petition noted that Karnataka recorded 43,440 accidents and 12,321 deaths in 2023, placing it among the six states with the highest road fatalities in India.

NH-66, a crucial coastal highway that passes through Dakshina Kannada, witnessed over 250 accidents in the last two years, with several deaths reported in just the past few months.

Despite such alarming statistics, citizens continue to pay road tax and toll without any guarantee of safe or time-bound travel. This, the petition argued, amounts to a deficiency of service and a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights.

Judicial precedents and constitutional rights

The representation drew attention to Supreme Court and high court rulings, which have held that the government’s failure to maintain safe roads constitutes a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution — the fundamental right to life.

“Every unattended pothole is a potential death trap. If citizens can be penalised for negligence, so must the authorities who fail in their duty to provide safe, serviceable roads,” Dr Radheshyam stated in the petition.

Impact on Mangaluru’s Silicon Beach aspirations

The poor condition of road infrastructure, residents argue, undermines Mangaluru’s vision of becoming a world-class urban, education, and technology hub under the ‘Silicon Beach Programme’.

The petition emphasised that the city is home to more than 225 technology companies employing over 20,000 professionals, as well as globally recognised educational institutions, multi-speciality hospitals, premium housing projects and a thriving tourism sector.

According to residents, unsafe and unreliable roads threaten connectivity, commute safety, talent mobility, and economic growth, thereby putting the Silicon Beach initiative at serious risk.

Key demands of the petition

The representation called for a series of urgent measures to ensure safe and reliable transport infrastructure:

  • Immediate repair and maintenance of highways, arterial roads, and city streets.
  • Public disclosure of accident black spots, bottlenecks and deadlines for rectification.
  • Installation of clear signage along all major roads.
  • Accountability and penalties for negligent contractors and officials.
  • Fair enforcement of traffic laws, with fines withheld until road safety standards are met.
  • Travel-time guarantees for major corridors.
  • A compensation framework for pothole-related deaths, injuries and property damage.

The petition also urged that safe commuting be recognised as a fundamental service obligation of the state, particularly in cities aiming to attract investment and talent.

Call for urgent action

Residents argue that unless authorities take swift corrective measures, road safety hazards will continue to claim lives and damage Mangaluru’s reputation as an emerging technology and education hub.

“Maintaining safe and reliable roads is essential to safeguard Mangaluru’s position as a Silicon Beach city, ensuring it remains attractive for investment, tourism and high-quality living standards,” Dr Radheshyam added.

The matter is now under consideration by district authorities, with citizens waiting to see whether urgent action will follow