Jeevan D’costa
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Oct 5: The protracted roadwork in Santhekatte has transformed into a distressing situation for both residents and commuters due to persistent delays, resulting in numerous potholes and significant dust pollution.
The situation has deteriorated in recent months causing substantial issues for the local community. The pooler roads constructed have also been in distress condition with a number of potholes. The instruction where these roads connect with the existing national highway is in a bad condition too.
In an attempt to address the traffic issues resulting from the ongoing construction, authorities introduced pooler roads as alternative routes to ease congestion. However, these pooler roads have faced limitations in effectively mitigating the traffic problems.
Additionally, these roads are in poor condition and experience heavy traffic, with thousands of vehicles, including buses, motorcycles, lorries, trailers, school buses, and ambulances, passing through them.
The deep potholes are simply causing dangerous situation to commuters. Even the heavy vehicles tyres are getting stuck in these potholes every day. The plight of two-wheelers, four-wheelers is indescribable.
Potholes have become a pervasive problem along the Santhekatte road, posing significant hazards for motorists and motorcyclists on a daily basis. Commuters frequently report vehicle damage and heightened safety concerns due to these road craters. Even pedestrians find it challenging to navigate the uneven terrain, risking accidents and injuries.
Moreover, the construction site has become a continuous source of dust pollution, impacting not only air quality but also the overall health and well-being of residents. The thick dust clouds enveloping the area have led to respiratory problems, eye irritation, and various health issues among those residing and working near the construction zone.
The breaking of the boulders work is not yet completed. It will require a few more months to complete. Currently retaining wall building and land filling near the service roads is being carried out by the workers which is also in very slow pace. Looking at the pace of the work carried out it may take another year more for the work to get completed.
Local residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress and the adverse effects on their daily lives. Access to essential services, such as schools, markets, and healthcare facilities, has been severely impeded.
The usage of chemical blasts has also impacted the local residents houses compounds, the neighborhood's woes, disrupting the peace and tranquility that residents once enjoyed. The untimely rains have created few of the sludge areas on Santehkatte–Kalyanpur interjection areas.
Public have demanded for a workable solution as everyday thousands of students, general public use this path for various needs.