Mangaluru: Tension gripped Kottara Chowki on National Highway 66 on Tuesday after the tragic death of a woman scooter rider at Kulur. The mishap, caused by a pothole near the Kulur flyover, triggered anger among locals, who clashed with contractors engaged in emergency road repair.
The victim, Madhavi, lost her life when her two-wheeler fell into a pothole on the stretch. The incident drew widespread outrage and renewed criticism of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for neglecting road maintenance.
Clash between locals and contractors
In the aftermath of the tragedy, NHAI directed its contractors to begin filling potholes along the Kottara Chowki stretch of the highway. However, when workers began the repair activity, grieving residents confronted them, accusing them of gross negligence and holding them directly responsible for Madhavi’s death.
What began as a heated verbal exchange soon turned into a physical scuffle between locals and the contractors. Several bystanders recorded the incident, and videos of the clash went viral on social media, intensifying public anger over the state of the roads.
Police intervention and inquiry
The situation escalated until the Kavoor police arrived at the scene to restore order. Officers dispersed the crowd and brought both parties to the police station for inquiry.
Police confirmed that a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) has been registered in connection with the confrontation. Further investigations are underway to determine the sequence of events and to prevent similar flare-ups in the future.
Public outcry over highway safety
The incident has reignited debate about the safety of National Highway 66, where potholes and poor road conditions have caused repeated accidents. Madhavi’s death has become a symbol of public frustration over official inaction, with many questioning why pothole repairs are only taken up after tragedies occur.
The viral videos have added momentum to calls for urgent and long-term solutions to ensure safe travel on one of the region’s busiest highways. Civil society groups and opposition leaders have already demanded accountability from the authorities and compensation for the victim’s family.
Conclusion
MANGALURU: The Kulur accident and the subsequent clash at Kottara Chowki highlight the growing anger over pothole-ridden highways in Dakshina Kannada. While police managed to bring the situation under control, the incident underscores the urgent need for better infrastructure maintenance and timely action by highway authorities to prevent further loss of life.