Work on road widening: Darkness covers Manipal

Team Udayavani, Apr 24, 2019, 3:45 PM IST

Udupi: National Highway 169A which passes through the heart of the city and is responsible for the commerce and business is covered in darkness as the evening leads towards the night. 5 months have passed by since the road works began here, yet the dark problem has not been resolved.

Manipal which is known for its business, medical, commerce and education sector is facing the problem and darkness is causing problem to the students as well as many others.

The street lights from Kadiyali to Tiger Circle in Manipal had been removed. Presently, no street light is functioning between Tiger Circle and Syndicate Circle. The situation is so bad that the public and motorists are compelled to move about fully dependent upon vehicle lights.

On one hand the work is progressing at a snail’s pace. The vehicle density here including huge vehicles, private vehicles, KSRTC buses, car and auto rickshaw is very high and during the night, the possibility of the occurrence of accidents due to the absence of light is more. Pedestrians and two-wheeler riders move around with the constant fear of when a heavy vehicle might trample them down. The public is urging the municipality to provide temporary facility for the lack of street lights.

Drunkards

Drunkards sleep in bus stops during the night and this too is resulting as a problem to travellers. The locals are demanding that the police department take proper action against this immediately.

Darkness since 5 months!

Since the moment the highway widening works began, the people are facing one problem or another. If the mornings are full of traffic jams, the nights are covered in darkness which making motorists and pedestrians reluctant to come here.

Depend upon mobile light

Students and workers move around here even at 12pm or 1 am in the night. Most of the students depend on the torch of their mobile to traverse in the darkness. The municipality must rectify this soon,” Raghavendra, local businessman

Action necessary

The street lights were removed from here as soon as the highway road work began. The municipality must take immediate action,” says Manjunath, Engineer, Highway Department

Installation post completion of highway work

“National highway work is in progress. Since the presently located divider is getting changed, the street lights were removed. The street lights will be installed once the work is completed,” informs Anand K, Municipal Commissioner, Udupi Municipality

Travellers troubled

“Several passengers travelling to other places wait at the bus stand here. Daily we see several persons facing trouble due to the lack of proper street lighting. Its kike darkness has been traded in the name if development,” says Joseph, Bus driver