Is NHAI waiting for ‘Pookalam’ Flower Arrangements to Repair Potholes at Padil Railway Under Bridge?
- Is the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) waiting for Women to make More ‘Pookalam’ flower Arrangements to highlight the pothole-ridden road so that NHAI can Repair the Potholes at Padil Railway Under Bridge?
Mangaluru: Remember, on 1 September 2020, an education consultant from City Ms Radhika Deemanth Suvarna did something unique- as part of Onam celebrations which was on 1 September, she with the help of her friends, namely- make-up artist Nelofar, Yuvika, and Supritha created an Onam flower arrangement called “Pookalam” and spread it around the pothole near Kankanady Pumpwell flyover bridge, to highlight the pothole issue. And within a few hours, the NHAI officials sprung into action and repaired the potholes. So with a large number of the crater-like potholes ridden at the Railway Under Bridge on the Mangaluru -Bengaluru National highway 75 near Padil, in the outskirts of the City, posing grave threats to motorists- just wondering if NHAI authorities are waiting for a few women to highlight this issue, just like what Ms Radhika did, so they could get to work and fix the dilapidated road filled with treacherous potholes. (Ref: Pumpwell Bale, Gundi Thule? Lady Educational Consultant Highlights Potholed Road with Onam ‘Pookalam’) and (Ref: ‘Pookalam Effect’ News is Not True! NHAI Fixing Only ONE Pothole was Just An Eye Wash?)
Also, the Pothole and crater-ridden Railway Under Bridge having no illumination day and night pose a safety hazard to the motorists, especially the two-wheeler riders. Motorists feel blindfolded once they enter the underbridge, which lacks natural lighting even during daytime. Vehicle drivers cruising smoothly on National Highway 75 at Padil will suddenly feel blindfolded even as the vehicle totters no sooner they enter the railway underbridge at Padil. For, the flyover commissioned after an abnormal delay in April 2017 has been in a lower elevation, thereby preventing the flow of natural light during the daytime and the road surface has got completely damaged following constant water-logging.
Built through box-pushing technology, the underbridge has been mired with flaws ever since its commissioning. As the surface of the underbridge is below the road surface from both the ends, rainwater always gets accumulated inside, and motorists have a tough time, particularly during the rainy season. The underbridge is part of the National Highways Authority of India’s Mangaluru Port Connectivity Project between BC Road and Nanthoor. With the present situation, motorists have a hard time to travel on this treacherous road ridden with potholes, and NHAI officials have turned a blind eye towards it since months. And with heavy rains lashing the area a few days ago, it has become much worse, with potholes filled muddy water- with passing heavy vehicles splashing this dirty water on the two-wheeler riders. How ignorant these bus, truck and car drivers could be, who can’t pity two-wheeler riders.
This stretch of railway under the bridge has become a nightmare for many who frequently take this highway to reach their destination, either to their workplace, market, shopping etc. etc. They all have to wade through the dilapidated portion of the road until they get on to the good two-lane road a few meters away from the Railway bridge spot. However, the new railway underpass adjacent to this dilapidated road recently opened for traffic is all in good condition as of now, for smooth flow of traffic. This underpass on the carriageway of National Highway 75, which was commissioned recently, has no such issues as the carriageway is on the road level on both sides.
Sunil Kumar, who regularly uses the underbridge, said that the NHAI appeared to have made no attempt to address the water-logging issue inside the underpass. Consequently, the underpass is filled with potholes and craters thereby giving shivers to vehicle drivers, he said. There are no lights either inside the underpass which remains pitch dark even during the daytime because of its lower position, ruled Jaganath Rai, an entrepreneur having his business at Adyar. Lack of lighting makes drivers blind when they enter the underpass after a smooth drive from Padil Junction, he said. Ms Seema, a two-wheeler rider, said that it would be a test every time she passed through the underbridge as there was every chance of a heavy vehicle hitting her if she applied brakes to avoid craters. Those new to the stretch would have no idea of the road condition, and often their vehicles get damaged, she said.
Passing on this stretch of pothole-ridden road is like an obstacle course. Drivers keep swerving and manoeuvring to make sure they miss every pothole. Every person who has had the misfortune of commuting on this stretch of NH 75 road will testify what a great pain the ride is – literally – owing to the numerous potholes that punctuate the road. I bet a ride on this stretch is akin to a ride on a ‘ camel’s ‘ back- just bumpy! Yes, this is a busy NH road, and every commuter taking this road has nursed the after-effects of juddering over potholes of all shapes and sizes. The NHAI authorities’ desultory efforts to fill them only result in these craters reappearing sooner rather than later. Sometimes it’s dangerous for vehicles to pull out of the potholes promptly, particularly at night.
Team Mangalorean only can’t fight for the cause, other citizens/motorists also need to raise their voices or come up with action plans or ideas, so that the sleeping NHAI authorities will quickly wake up and do the needful. If we all keep quiet, and don’t complain, and wait for this potholed road to be restored for a smooth ride, you are out of luck. Because no authorities will take any action until a few two-wheelers get swallowed by some of these mega-potholes? Until then bear with the potholes or curse someone in NHAI dept — and still keep driving or riding safely.