Bitumen-surface roads in city full of craters and potholes

Contract for patchwork delayed in view of model code of conduct: Corpn. Commissioner

Executing cost-intensive infrastructure works under the Smart City projects, the city administration appears to have forgotten to maintain main and cross roads with bitumen surface leading to formation of craters and potholes across the city thereby putting road users at risk.

While Mangaluru Smart City Ltd. (MSCL) has been converting many existing roads into concrete roads in the central parts of the city, large craters and potholes test the driving skills of motorists on many other roads with bitumen surface, including Mahakalipadpu Road, Mulihithlu Road, Mangaladevi Cross Road and others.

Having witnessed patchwork before monsoon between Morgans Gate and Jeppinamogaru Junction, the Mahakalipadpu Road that witnesses voluminous traffic towards Ullal, Thokkottu, Konaje and Kasaragod in Kerala now has exposed road base and even cesspools. The Mangaluru City Corporation, which is building an alternative four-lane concrete road with two twin railway under bridges, has almost neglected maintenance of the existing road.