Mangaluru: A woman was seriously injured after being hit by a speeding bus while she was crossing the road at Bondel on Tuesday, January 13, once again drawing attention to the alarming frequency of accidents on the airport road stretch in Mangaluru. The incident has triggered strong resentment among local residents, who have blamed rash driving and alleged inaction by traffic authorities for repeated mishaps in the area.
According to sources, the accident occurred when the woman was crossing the busy road from Bondel towards Pacchanady. Witnesses said she had carefully checked both sides of the road and began crossing after ensuring that no vehicles were approaching. However, a bus allegedly travelling at a high speed suddenly rammed into her, knocking her down and throwing her several feet onto the road.
Victim rushed to hospital with serious injuries
The impact of the collision left the woman with severe injuries. Local residents and passersby immediately rushed to her aid and alerted emergency services. She was shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, where doctors described her condition as serious. Further details about her identity and current medical status were not immediately available.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the bus driver did not slow down despite the presence of pedestrians and traffic congestion in the area. Some residents alleged that such reckless driving has become common on this stretch of the airport road.
Residents blame negligence and poor enforcement
Soon after the accident, local residents gathered at the spot and expressed anger over what they described as the negligence of the bus driver and the failure of traffic police to take effective preventive measures. They said accidents have become routine in Bondel and surrounding areas, yet little has been done to address the root causes.
“The airport road has turned into a death trap. This is not the first accident, and it will not be the last if authorities continue to ignore our repeated appeals,” said a local resident.
Residents alleged that despite multiple complaints and protests in the past, speeding buses and other heavy vehicles continue to ply through the area without adequate monitoring or enforcement of traffic rules.
Airport road known for frequent accidents
The stretch of airport road between Yeyyadi and Bondel Junction is notorious for frequent accidents. Locals grimly refer to it as a “road beating the drum of death”, highlighting the constant risk faced by pedestrians, two-wheeler riders and even motorists.
According to data shared by residents, more than eight people lost their lives in road accidents on the Yeyyadi–Bondel Junction stretch alone over the past year. Several others have sustained serious injuries, leading to long-term health and financial consequences for affected families.
Residents say that the road’s design, high vehicle speeds, lack of pedestrian crossings and insufficient traffic calming measures have all contributed to the growing number of accidents.
Long-pending demands for safety measures
Local residents have repeatedly demanded the installation of barricades, pedestrian railings, speed breakers and clearly marked zebra crossings along the airport road. They have also sought stricter enforcement of speed limits, particularly for buses and heavy vehicles.
“There are no proper pedestrian crossings, and vehicles move at very high speed. Elderly people, women and children find it extremely difficult to cross the road safely,” said another resident.
Despite these repeated demands, residents allege that authorities have failed to take concrete action. Temporary measures taken after earlier accidents were either removed or poorly maintained, they said.
Call for immediate action by authorities
Following Tuesday’s accident, residents once again urged the traffic police, Mangaluru City Corporation and other concerned departments to take immediate steps to improve road safety. They stressed that without urgent intervention, more lives could be lost.
Experts have also pointed out that the airport road sees a high volume of traffic, including buses, taxis and private vehicles, due to its proximity to the Mangaluru International Airport. This makes proper traffic planning and pedestrian safety infrastructure even more critical.
Police yet to issue detailed statement
As of Tuesday evening, police had not issued a detailed statement regarding the accident or clarified whether the bus driver had been detained or booked for rash and negligent driving. However, sources indicated that the matter is under investigation and further action will be taken based on the findings.
Conclusion
The serious injury of a woman in Tuesday’s accident at Bondel has once again exposed the persistent road safety issues along Mangaluru’s airport road. With more than eight deaths reported on the Yeyyadi–Bondel stretch in the past year, residents say the situation has reached a breaking point. As public anger mounts, authorities are under increasing pressure to implement long-pending safety measures, enforce traffic rules strictly and ensure that pedestrians can cross the road without risking their lives.