Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary chaired an emergency meeting with National Highway Authority officials at the office of National Highways Regional Officer Vilas Brahmankar in Nagasandra, Bengaluru, over recurring accidents on NH-66 between Hejamadi and Byndoor. The discussion focused on crash barriers, fencing median black spots, foot overbridges, traffic signals at Ambagilu, Kota and Padubidri, and controlling accidents on the stretch.
94 deaths in 10 months
The MP said 94 people have died in 10 months on the Hejamadi-Byndoor stretch, despite 14 black spots having been identified. He said negligence in rectifying the black spots continued, and directed officials to prepare a detailed project report and take immediate corrective measures.
Service road works under way
Regional Officer Vilas Brahmankar said approval has been granted in phases for a complete service road from Hejamadi to Kundapur. Works are under way at Koteshwara, Tekkatte, Kumbhashi, Brahmavara, Ambagilu and Yermal, while work near Kota Vivek High School, Sastana bus stand and the toll plaza will commence shortly.
Temple crossings and foot overbridges
Accidents have occurred when devotees cross the highway to visit the Guru Narasimha and Anjaneya temples in Saligrama. Officials were instructed to inspect technical issues and drainage problems there. Officials were directed to build a foot overbridge near Uchila temple instead of Yermal. Project Director Javed Azmi assured that the Ambalpady flyover and the lower service road would be repaired immediately.
Wider service road at Santhekatte
The MP proposed expanding the 5.5-metre service road at Santhekatte to 7.5 metres, and work is to begin immediately. The meeting also decided to submit an immediate report on Kota junction.
The decisions taken at the meeting now have to be carried out on the ground, with the MP seeking immediate corrective measures on the accident-prone stretch.
