Pumpwell Bale, Gundi Thule? (Come to Pumpwell, See the Potholes”? Lady Educational Consultant Radhika Deemanth Suvarna Highlights the Potholed and Pathetic Service Road near Kankanady Pumpwell Flyover with Onam ‘Pookalam’-a flower arrangement.
Mangaluru: Until the beginning of 2020, the whole issue of the 10 year delay in completing the Kankanady Flyover had become a subject for trolls and meme creators- and the general public were enjoying them fully- and one among them was “Pumpwell Bale…Pumpwell Bale..”? Now that the flyover had been inaugurated, and it looks good, but the Officials of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had turned a blind eye towards the service roads on either side of the Flyover- and people are wondering just like it took 10 years to complete the flyover, it may take 5 years to repair/complete the pathetic and potholed service roads?
Following close on its heels after Team Mangalorean had published an article this morning (Ref: ‘Bunder Bale, Malla Malla Gundi Thule’? Shame on MSCL & MCC for naming Kudla a ‘Smart City’) , here we have yet another potholed road near Pumpwell Flyover, which we are highlighting through this report. These service roads on either side of the Flyover are full of craters and potholes which slow down vehicular movement on one of the busiest stretches in the city. Despite regular repair and filling of potholes, these roads continue to remain battered for the sheer absence of proper shoulder drains. These service roads have almost become non-motorable with the bitumen cover completely wearing out. They remain battered, except for a small stretch, even as it witnesses very heavy vehicular movement. Filled with potholes, dust clouds envelop passers-by and adjacent buildings whenever a heavy vehicle passes through.
Radhika Deemanth Suvarna decorating the Pothole with Onam “Pookalam” flower arrangement
Team Mangalorean visited the area and clicked a few photos, to be incorporated with the report- many times, photos say better than words. Even though the Flyover was well constructed and vehicles are moving smoothly, however commute on the nearby service roads, is like a travel on a camel’s back- bumpy and hectic. And just imagine, the plight of the commuters/motorists who use these service roads daily to work or other appointments. It is total carelessness and ignorance on the part of NHAI officials and their labourers to let these service roads unattended and become treacherous and hazardous for daily commuters to use them. Although it’s bad to drive on the main City streets, stricken with numerous potholes — similar problems have been experienced by Mangalureans driving on the side streets and lanes.. It’s treacherous time — and our City streets are decorated with potholes, and I bet between each mile there are chances that you’ll come across potholes. Mangaluru roads have started resembling the craters on the moon?
Among the many who take this service road, one lady who is an Educational Consultant came up with an unique idea, in order to highlight the pothole stretch of the road. In the past we have seen activists or members of organizations come up with cute ideas, to bring to the notice of the concerned officials on potholes, like- they left paper boats in the pothole water, planted baby banana plants and other varieties of plants, and even did a mockery, by fishing in these City’s potholes. But the idea of this educational consultant, Radhika deemanth Suvarna was something different- 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 a Onam flower arrangement called “Pookalam” and spread it around the pothole-thereby highlighting the issue. Nice idea, which did receive good compliments from citizens.
Team Mangalorean who contacted Radhika Suvarna over the phone, asking her what made her come up with this unique idea, for which she said, “As a working lady, I take this stretch of the road frequently. Even though we see and hear about accidents taking place due to bad and potholed roads, many getting injured or fatal, still the officials turn a blind eye to such civic issues. When they built the flyover and made it safe to drive/ride, why couldn’t they take care of the service roads. I think the concerned authorities should concentrate on service roads, and make them commuter friendly, rather than dangerous. Sad to note that the service roads are neglected, and we all have to face the brunt of it. And since Onam was here, we celebrated it by making ‘Pookalam’- an traditional Onam flower arrangement around the potholes on the Pumpwell service road, in order to bring awareness among the NHAI officials and other concerned officials. And thus was the idea of making Pookalam here as a part of Onam with my friends,” for a GOOD CAUSE”.
Well thought of unique idea by Ms Radhika, thereby waking up the authorities to take action and do the needful before more people get into accidents. Also speaking to Team Mangalorean, Reema Fernandes, who also takes this service road daily to her work place near Yekkur said, “I have no other option than to take this horrible and pathetic service road to reach my work. And since I ride a scooter, when heavy vehicles like buses and trucks navigate on this road, it’s very dangerous for a two-wheeler while trying to avoid or navigate around these potholes. God only has to guide and protect us while traveling on these hazardous roads “.
Without any delay, MCC or PWD or NHAI should undertake a major exercise to refurbish City’s potholes. Driving on Mangaluru streets, and for that matter, even on outskirts of the City, is like an obstacle course. Drivers keep swerving and maneuvering to make sure they miss every pothole. These potholes have also worsened the chronic traffic jams which Mangalureans face everyday, especially near Kankanady Pumpwell. Anyone who has had the misfortune of commuting on this stretch of service 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 road, and every commuter taking this road has nursed the after-effects of juddering over potholes of all shapes and sizes. The civic 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. These potholes have become a nuisance for motorists, especially two-wheeler riders. But the concerned authorities have turned a blind eye to this hazard. Even some of the roads with potholes leading to major hospitals, they have become a major obstacle for ambulances too.
Potholes aren’t just a nuisance for drivers; they also constitute dangerous safety hazards that can produce substantial damage to vehicles, force drivers to veer suddenly in traffic, or even cause the driver to lose control of a vehicle after contact. The gaping streets can also damage a car’s alignment and suspension system. The city crews should take quick action to fix the potholes before they get deep and worse — thereby avoiding severe driving hazards and vehicle damages.
Our present roads look like dirt tracks, fit for dirt track racing, and definitely not for smooth drive or ride. Bunch of our City roads are in SHAMBLES, PATHETIC, very DISGRACEFUL, and totally DISASTROUS?- including the one near Pumpwell flyover. How can a city which boasts about its cleanliness standards among other cities in India, and also about its Smart City status, can neglect such roads which are used by all sorts of citizens and motorists. Throwing some loose stuff in a hole and just hoping the traffic driving over it will fix it, didn’t serve the purpose. How can we ever call this City a SMART CITY, when we see a bunch of dilapidated and potholed roads existing at every nook and corner.
So while Radhika Suvarna put her effort and idea in highlighting this civic issue regarding pathetic service roads filled with potholes, other citizens/motorists also need to raise their voices or come up with action plans or ideas, so that the sleeping authorities will quickly wake up and do the needful. If we all keep quite, and don’t complain, and wait for these roads to be restored for a smooth ride, you are out of luck. Because no authorities, either from NHAI, MCC or PWD 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 from these departments — and still keep driving or riding safe. A job well done by Radhika and her friends, for alerting the Officials about the pathetic condition of this potholed road.