Uttara Kannada highways turning deadly; 726 killed in three years
Bhatkal: National highways passing through Uttara Kannada district, once known for their scenic coastal stretches, are increasingly becoming sites of frequent and fatal road accidents. Poor road conditions, unscientific design, delayed construction works and heavy vehicular movement have made travel across the district highly risky.
Official data from the district police shows that 726 people were killed and 5,124 others suffered serious injuries in road accidents over the last three years in Uttara Kannada. The figures indicate a steady rise in accidents, with national highways accounting for a large share of the fatalities.
As reported by Vartha Bharati, police records show that 233 road accidents were reported in 2023, in which 248 people lost their lives. The number of accidents increased to 264 in 2024. In 2025 so far, 192 accidents have already been reported, resulting in 214 deaths. Police sources point to rain-filled potholes, incomplete road stretches and unsafe diversions as key reasons behind many of these accidents.
The situation is particularly serious along National Highway-66 in the Bhatkal region. A stretch of just about 600 metres has witnessed six deaths within a single month. The victims included students and young adults. Local residents say this stretch highlights the unscientific execution of the highway project and the absence of proper safety planning.
Several areas along the highway, including Navayath Colony, the Murdeshwar–Bastimakki stretch and areas near the old Venkattapur bridge, have emerged as accident-prone zones. Residents say the closure of the old bridge and the introduction of two-way traffic on the new bridge have further increased the risk of accidents.
People living along the highway have blamed delayed construction, incomplete service roads and slow progress in widening works for the rising number of deaths. The four-laning project, which was originally expected to be completed within three years, remains incomplete even after more than ten years.
With highways passing through densely populated towns and residential areas, pedestrians, two-wheeler riders and local commuters are forced to travel under constant fear. Many stretches lack service roads, warning signs and pedestrian crossings. During the monsoon, waterlogging on several sections worsens the situation and adds to the danger.
Residents have demanded immediate safety measures, including clear warning signage at accident-prone spots, working streetlights, pedestrian pathways and scientifically planned traffic management systems. They have urged highway authorities to focus on public safety rather than only on completing construction works.
The continued collection of toll at the Shirur toll gate, despite unfinished and unsafe highway stretches, has further angered local residents. They have warned that unless authorities and elected representatives take urgent steps to address road safety concerns, accidents on the district’s highways will continue to claim more lives.
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Rahul Gandhi joins Haryana Congress leader's 'Sadbhav Yatra' in Gurugram
Gurugram (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday joined the 'Sadbhav Yatra' of Haryana Congress leader Brijendra Singh here.
Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, reached Gurugram in the evening and joined the yatra. He also walked some distance with Brijendra, state Congress chief Rao Narender Singh and other leaders.
Huge crowds had turned up for the occasion.
Later, Gandhi proceeded to the venue where he addressed a public gathering.
Leader of Opposition in Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda and other Congress leaders, including Randeep Singh Surjewala, B K Hariprasad, state Congress chief Rao Narender Singh, were also present.
Brijendra Singh had on Thursday said it is a matter of joy for them that Gandhi was joining the 'Sadbhav Yatra' in Gurugram-Badshahpur, "thereby strengthening the Indian National Congress' campaign for brotherhood and harmony".
The 'Sadbhav Yatra' began from Danoda village at Narwana in Jind on October 5, 2025, and has covered 85 of the 90 assembly segments in the state.
The foot march was started by Brijendra Singh, son of Congress veteran Birender Singh, to highlight several national and regional issues.
State Congress chief Rao Narender Singh had asked all party leaders to take part in Friday's event.
Days before his yatra began in October, Brijendra Singh, who narrowly lost the 2024 assembly polls from Jind's Uchana Kalan, accused the ruling BJP of playing "divisive politics" and said that "sadbhav" (harmony) has come under stress in the last decade.
Brijendra Singh was a sitting MP from Hisar for the BJP when he resigned ahead of the 2024 general election and switched over to the Congress. He also alleged that the saffron party creates a wedge in society to achieve its political purpose.
The 'padyatra' has so far covered 85 assembly constituencies in Haryana, traversing more than 2,700 kilometres.
Addressing the public gathering, Brijendra Singh said the yatra is inspired by Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he took the party's vision and values directly to the people of the country.
Singh said the yatra has highlighted issues like "Vote Chori" (vote theft), unemployment, poor law and order situation, agrarian distress, and issues related to government employees, labourers and traders.
"Sadbhav (harmony) and bhaichara (brotherhood), which the BJP is attempting to weaken, are the messages of this yatra," he said, adding that its slogan is "Congress ka haath bhaichara ka saath".
"This yatra is a natural extension of the Bharat Jodo Yatra," Brijendra Singh said.
