Mangaluru: Mangaluru MLA and State Assembly Speaker UT Khader has written to PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi and the department’s principal secretary, urging urgent repairs to damaged roads in his constituency after heavy rains.
In his letter, Khader highlighted that the stretch from Chembugudde to Kuthar, linking Thokkotu, was resurfaced only three years ago. Despite this, significant portions have worn out, making travel difficult and unsafe.
The Speaker pressed for an inquiry to determine why the road degraded so quickly and insisted on strict measures if faults in construction or maintenance are discovered. He also asked for swift restoration so that residents can commute without disruption.
Khader pointed out that the PWD is in the process of widening the Thokkotu–Mudipu state highway into two lanes. This route, he noted, is vital as it connects key educational hubs, the Ullal taluk office, and numerous schools and colleges.
In parallel, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Ullal taluk unit, staged a demonstration on Monday, alleging negligence in the upkeep of the Thokkotu–Kuthar road. The protest, held at Babbukatte, called for punitive steps against the contractor responsible for the work.
Both the Speaker’s intervention and the DYFI’s agitation underline the urgency of addressing the issue, as the road serves thousands of daily commuters and plays a crucial role in regional connectivity.