Bhatkal: Owing to the grave negligence of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), hundreds of precious lives have already been lost. Shockingly, within the last month, three more people have died in road accidents along a 600-meter stretch, raising serious questions over the department’s faulty planning.
When the four-lane highway project was first proposed, experts and public representatives had strongly recommended a bypass route through the outskirts of the town to ease traffic congestion and minimize the risk of accidents. A parallel bypass road plan was also drawn up, connecting Shamsuddin Circle to Shirali via Sarpankatte. However, the project was stalled—and remains unresolved today—due to alleged vested interests and the greed of a few influential individuals.
Had the bypass road been built, the heart of the city would have remained safer from accidents, and urban development could have expanded naturally towards the rural areas. Instead, under pressure from land mafias and a few wealthy investors, the municipal administration scrapped the bypass proposal and recommended widening the existing highway — a decision that has now led to the current dire situation.
Once the highway route was fixed through the middle of the town, land acquisition became a major challenge. Court cases, un-demolished buildings, individuals refusing to vacate properties despite receiving compensation, and illegal constructions all slowed the project considerably. The NH four-lane project, initially scheduled to be completed within three years, remains shamefully unfinished even after twelve years.
As per the original plan, it was said that service roads were to be constructed on both sides at many places between Mood-Bhatkal Bypass to Tenginagundi Cross, and a similar design was proposed for Shirali. However, due to the lack of seriousness from social organisations and local bodies, the project went off track. Consequently, the service road between Ranginkatte and Tenginagundi Cross has completely disappeared, forcing residents to risk their lives by directly using the main highway.
When the road from Sagar Road to Bundar Road was upgraded to the status of a state highway, plans were made to build a 25-foot-high flyover at Shamsuddin Circle, along with a service road and a level crossing near the KSRTC bus stand. Today, however, none of these components are visible in the ongoing construction, and even local social organisations, including the NH Horata Samithi, lack clarity on the actual design being followed.
The contracting company, IRB Infrastructure, claims it aims to complete the construction as soon as possible but alleges that the lack of cooperation from the taluk and district administration is hampering progress.
Citizens are now questioning whether completing the four-lane national highway without flyovers and service roads will not only worsen the situation and not lead to more accidents ? They point out that traffic congestion already remains severe along the stretch from Quality Hotel to Tenginagundi Cross — the heart of Bhatkal — and once the highway becomes fully operational, it is sure that high-speed vehicles passing through this densely populated zone could prove deadly. Residents are also expressing concern over the silence of local social organisations including NH horata Samithi on this critical issue.
Adding to public frustration, IRB has also been accused of failing to maintain even the newly built portions of the road. Several accidents have been reported at the Mood-Bhatkal Bypass, where the four-lane road suddenly narrows into two lanes. In Venkatapur, multiple fatalities have occurred after the old bridge was closed and two-way traffic was introduced on the new bridge — yet no remedial action has been taken by the authorities.
The question now arises: if the National Highway is completed through the heart of Bhatkal without service roads and flyovers, who will take responsibility for future accidents? During the monsoon, the highway often turns into a waterlogged stretch resembling a pond. If this persistent drainage issue remains unresolved before completion, how will it be fixed afterward?
Residents also question why toll collection continues at the Shiroor toll gate even though the highway construction is far from complete.
Will the state government, the district in-charge minister, and local representatives take this matter seriously and act to protect public lives? Will the National Highway Horata Samithi and local social bodies finally intervene to ensure accountability? Or will the people of Bhatkal continue to sacrifice their lives on this ill-planned highway?