Mangaluru: A 44-year-old woman lost her life in a road accident on National Highway 66 at Kulur on Tuesday after her scooter skidded on a pothole and she was run over by a fish-laden lorry.
Victim identified as lab technician
The deceased has been identified as Madhavi, a resident of Baikampady. Police said she was on her way to the hospital, where she worked as a lab technician in the blood bank, when the incident occurred.
According to initial reports, Madhavi was travelling on her two-wheeler from her home in Baikampady towards the city when her scooter lost balance on a pothole-ridden stretch near Kulur. She fell onto the road, and a lorry carrying fish that was travelling behind her ran over her, killing her instantly.
Police register negligence case
The Mangaluru North Traffic Police have registered a case of negligence against both the lorry driver and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Officials said the poor maintenance of the road was a contributing factor to the fatal accident.
DCP (Crime and Traffic) K Ravi Shankar visited the accident spot and reviewed the situation. The body was later shifted for post-mortem formalities.
Locals blame poor road conditions
The incident sparked outrage among local residents, who blamed the accident on the deplorable condition of the highway. They pointed out that potholes and uneven surfaces on NH-66 near Kulur have been causing inconvenience to commuters and pose a serious risk, especially to two-wheeler riders.
Residents and activists demanded immediate repair of the damaged stretch by NHAI to prevent further loss of life. “How many more accidents should happen before authorities wake up? These potholes are death traps,” a local commuter said.
Growing concern over NH-66 safety
The stretch of National Highway 66 passing through Mangaluru has witnessed several accidents in recent years, many of which locals attribute to inadequate maintenance and heavy vehicular traffic. Fisher lorries, tankers, and container trucks frequently use the road, increasing the risk of accidents for smaller vehicles.
With monsoon rains further worsening road conditions, citizen groups have renewed calls for urgent intervention by the highway authorities.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Madhavi has once again brought the spotlight on the poor state of NH-66 in Mangaluru. While police have initiated legal action, residents continue to urge NHAI and civic authorities to take accountability and carry out immediate road repairs to avert more such tragedies.