Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 18: On the first day of traffic restrictions, severe traffic blocks and confusions were witnessed at Kulur old bridge on Tuesday. The restrictions have been imposed to facilitate repair of the old bridge. Taking into account the situation, the deputy commissioner has revised the provisions for movement of vehicles.

Commuters are having a tough time in traffic congestion. The vehicular movement from Kulur junction towards Suratkal and Suratkal to Kulur at a snail’s pace has made vehicle owners and commuters lose their patience wasting hours in the traffic.

Speaking to daijiworld.com, one of the passengers Preetha, who travels from Suratkal to Mangaluru said, “It is frustrating to spend nearly 90 minutes in traffic to cross Kulur bridge. I was struck in traffic for nearly 90 minutes both in the morning and evening during my return journey which delayed me from reaching my work place. There was no diversion of heavy vehicles as mentioned in the orders. We could see heavy vehicles moving on new Kulur bridge.”

Balchandra who was driving his four wheeler said, "The new Kulur bridge is so narrow. We cannot expect two vehicles to cross at a time. I could also notice an ambulance stuck in between traffic. It took me nearly an hour to cross Kulur bridge from MCF. Finally, the district administration has started repair. People were afraid to travel on the old bridge. Information about repair was given much early. Traffic on the bridge could have been planned well.”

Another commuter Savitha said, "The bus in which I was travelling dropped us midway at Panambur and took a u-turn as they would not reach Mangaluru on time. Then we had to take another bus from Kulur to reach our respective destination. Some vehicles are moving in wrong sides without any options left. Noticing that, police were about to lathicharge. People are frustrated with this traffic congestion. Due to coronavirus outbreak, schools and colleges are shut down. In case, school and colleges were colleges functioning, it would be worse for all.”

To tackle the situation, movement of all six-wheel vehicles has been banned from 8 am to 9 pm. Likewise, movement of all six and more wheel vehicles that are bound towards Udupi form the direction of Mangaluru are barred from 8 am to 9 pm.

Six wheeler goods vehicles and vehicles with more wheels moving towards Udupi from the directions of Bengaluru and Kerala can take KPT-Kavoor, Bajpe, Kaikamba, Moodbidri route.

Six-wheeler goods vehicles moving towards Udupi from the direction of Bengaluru and Kerala can move on Kulur route from 9 pm to 7 am. All vehicles going to Mangaluru from Udupi have to take deviation at Mulky and move via Kinnigoli, Moodbidri and Bajpe. Vehicles going to the airport from Udupi have to move via Mulky-Kinnigoly-Kateel-Bajpe route, a release by the office of the deputy commissioner said.