Poor road conditions in DK–Udupi: MLA Manjunath Bhandari urges CM for immediate repairs
Mangaluru: Continuous rains and heavy vehicular traffic have severely damaged roads across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. The deteriorating condition of highways, state roads, and service roads has led to a sharp increase in road accidents, posing a serious threat to public safety.
In 2025 alone, Dakshina Kannada district has reported 702 road accidents, resulting in 122 deaths and 815 injuries. A significant number of fatalities involve pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. Highlighting the alarming situation, Legislative Council member Manjunath Bhandari has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging urgent repair works.
The Kundapura–Tirthahalli State Highway 52, spanning 93 km, connects several key towns and villages. However, the road has not been widened in the past 40 years, causing severe traffic congestion. The Kandlur bridge, constructed in 1960 across the Varahi river, is now on the verge of collapse, making its reconstruction essential.
The major ghat roads of Agumbe, Shiradi, Charmadi, Balebare, Sampekatte, and Nagodi are extremely narrow, leading to year-round traffic jams. Even ambulances face obstructions during emergencies. The poor state of these roads is also damaging local trade and tourism in the coastal belt and temple towns of the region.
While several state highways have been upgraded to four lanes with Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance, State Highway 52 has been excluded, drawing criticism from local residents who see it as discriminatory. Citizens and organizations have demanded that funds be mobilized through ADB, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), or the BOT (Annuity) model to upgrade the road.
Local residents have called for immediate repair of highways, reconstruction of the Kandlur bridge, widening of State Highway 52 into a four-lane road with national highway status, and construction of tunnels in ghat sections to ease traffic congestion.
With 122 deaths recorded in Dakshina Kannada district alone in 2025, the situation has reached a crisis point. The MLA has urged both the state and central governments to act without delay, emphasizing that improving road infrastructure is vital not only for public safety but also for the economic and tourism growth of the coastal region.
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Kane scores hat trick and Bayern extends Bundesliga lead to 11 points
Berlin (AP): Harry Kane was substituted in at the hour mark and still had enough time to score a hat trick on Saturday.
The England captain took his goal tally for Bayern Munich this season to 28 and the defending champions extended their lead to 11 points after thrashing Stuttgart 5-0 on the road.
Second-placed Leipzig later hosted Eintracht Frankfurt.
With Kane on the bench, Konrad Laimer took on the scoring duties and produced a superb finish. The Austria midfielder collected a long ball and combined with Michael Olise before slotting home from close range with a subtle backheel past goalkeeper Alexander Nübel in the 11th minute.
Kane made it 2-0 with a low shot into the bottom corner and Josip Stanišic added his name to the scoresheet. Kane added further luster to the win from the penalty spot after Stuttgart was reduced to 10 men for Lorenz Assignon using his arm to clear a ball in the 81st.
Kane completed the rout with a flick from an Olise cross with two minutes left. He has found the net five more times with England this season, taking his total to 33 goals for club and country.
Stuttgart had chances before halftime but lacked a cutting edge. Midfielder Nikolas Nartey thought he equalized only for his goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Bayern Munich is unbeaten in 16 league and cup games against German opposition this season.
Other results
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Bayer Leverkusen suffered a fourth loss, 2-0 at Augsburg.
Defender Dimitrios Giannoulis put the host in front after six minutes then turned provider to set up forward Anton Kade. Leverkusen, which hit the woodwork, remained in fourth place, 14 points behind Bayern.
Wolfsburg scored from all of its shots on target and moved four points clear of the relegation zone after beating Union Berlin 3-1. Heidenheim defeated Freiburg 2-1. Cologne and St. Pauli drew 1-1.
