Udupi: Ahsrayadata auto-rickshaw drivers staged a protest at Karavali junction against the pathetic condition of the stretch of road connecting Karavali junction to Malpe port on Wednesday, July 22.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahsrayadata Auto Driver Association president K Ramesh Shetty said that the entire stretch of road in the area is destroyed, the 200 meter long road is completely unfit for driving. “The bad condition of the road has made vehicular movement disastrous. Heavy downpours have totally ruined the road. Massive potholes on the stretch make it very difficult to maneuver vehicles making it dangerous for passengers as well as drivers/riders,” he said.
He added that the situation has forced the auto rickshaw drivers to not take up passengers wanting to commute through this road as it is impossible for vehicles to move safely. He added that traffic jams are frequent in the area as every vehicle struggles to traverse the huge potholes. Pedestrians too suffer, he added.
Tourists who visit Malpe port travel using the same road in large numbers. He said that the stretch of road from Malpe to Agumbe has been planned to be converted into a national highway. However, there is no clear idea about when the work will commence.
He demanded that until the road is taken up for the national highway construction work, the district administration and the people representatives should make arrangements for temporary repairs. The road should be repaired temporarily, so that commuters do not suffer, he added.