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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
_vb_69.jpeg)
Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
