Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (RJP)

Bantwal, Oct 27: Pathetic roads are nothing new. Despite several reports in the media, umpteen protests by citizens and appeals to authorities, most roads continue to be in a state of disrepair, posing major threat to the lives of commuters and pedestrians. Even if the roads are repaired, they are most often 'patchworks' that don't last through the rains.

The state of the service road from BC Road's Kaikamba to Melkar along NH 75 between Mangalore and Bangalore is no different. It looks like the drivers driving on this road need to obtain special training and licence to negotiate their way through this stretch.

The condition of this road is so pathetic that if the driver is not alert even for a second, these potholes, or rather craters, become virtually black holes waiting to swallow up the commuters. But the authorities are least bothered.

Within just two years of its construction, this road has become a nightmare. If even the big vehicles travel here with so much difficulty, then just imagine the ordeal small vehicles and two wheelers crossing these potholes have to go through.

During rains these potholes become pools of mud water. Before the vehicles get stuck here, mud water is sprayed on the passersby. The commuters in the vehicles sit with their eyes closed when they pass here. There is no way out for anybody travelling on these roads.

Some people have voluntarily tried to close some potholes. But for how long they can do it? It's high time the authorities wake up and act immediately to avert perceived disasters.