Kundapura: A 55-year-old scooter rider died after his two-wheeler collided head-on with a car on National Highway 66 near Arate Bridge at Mullikatte in Kundapura taluk on Monday, October 12.
The deceased has been identified as Ajith Paul Lewis, a resident of Bhandarkars Road in Kundapura town. He sustained serious injuries in the collision and was rushed to a private hospital in Kundapura by emergency ambulance personnel Ibrahim Gangolli and Abrar Gangolli. However, doctors confirmed that he had died.
Ajith was working as a general manager at a private company in Delhi and regularly visited his hometown. He had returned to Kundapura around eight to 10 days before the accident following his mother’s illness.
According to reports, he was travelling towards a school near Mullikatte to enquire about his daughter’s academic progress when the accident occurred.
Police register case
Kundapura Traffic Police Sub-Inspectors Anoop Nayak and Sudha Prabhu, along with other personnel, visited the accident site and conducted an inspection. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.
The circumstances surrounding the collision are being examined. Reports have also raised concerns about traffic movement along the stretch, where vehicles are currently required to share a single side of the bridge.
Delayed Arate Bridge repairs raise safety concerns
Repair work on Arate Bridge has been continuing for several years. Due to delays, one side of the bridge has remained closed, forcing traffic in both directions to use the other side.
The altered arrangement has made movement along this section of National Highway 66 challenging, with reports of frequent minor accidents.
Reflective traffic cones had reportedly been installed to improve road safety, but several were damaged by heavy vehicles travelling at night. Concerns have also been raised about lane discipline, careless driving and overspeeding along the stretch.
Residents have urged the authorities to expedite the bridge repair work and restore the regular traffic arrangement to improve safety for motorists.
The fatal collision has renewed concerns over road safety near Arate Bridge, with locals seeking urgent action to address the ongoing traffic difficulties.