Public Anger Grows After Tragic Bhatkal Road Accident
Residents blame unfinished highway expansion for rising accidents and demand immediate action.
By Atiqur Rahman Dangi Nadwi
A wave of grief and anger has swept through Bhatkal following a tragic road accident late last night. Citizens took to social media to express outrage, blaming the incomplete work on the main national highway for the accident.
The road expansion project, launched nearly thirteen years ago, remains unfinished. Incomplete sections, missing service roads, and sudden changes in road width have made driving increasingly dangerous. Locals say poorly managed barricades and ongoing construction have turned the highway into a high-risk route.
Residents have long raised concerns over these issues but see little real progress. Even after a serious accident near Noor Masjid a few months ago, only temporary repairs were made. Locals now ask whether authorities will act only after more lives are lost, or whether preventive measures will finally be implemented to ensure safer travel.
Traffic congestion has worsened near Shamsuddin Circle due to the absence of a flyover. In the absence of traffic signals, disorder and confusion remain common, and police presence has done little to restore control. Rash driving and wrong overtaking further increase the risk of accidents.
Similar issues persist at Ranginkatta, Jali Road, Nawayath Colony, and Tengingundi Cross. Although barricades are in place, police are often missing, causing more traffic problems. Nighttime visibility is another major concern, as several sections of the highway remain unlit. Drivers struggle to spot obstacles in the dark, making accidents more likely.
The most recent tragedy occurred at Tengingundi Cross, where a young man lost his life after colliding with a barricade while on his two-wheeler. Following the incident, residents flooded social media with criticism of the government and local administration, demanding that the long-delayed highway project be completed without further delay.
Citizens insist that the government must prioritize proper road repairs, improved street lighting, and an efficient traffic management system. At the same time, they emphasize that citizens, too, must act responsibly by following traffic laws. Preventing underage driving, they say, is also crucial to saving lives.
Now, the pressing question for Bhatkal remains: how long will it take for this vital national highway expansion to be completed and will any permanent solution be found to address the city’s growing road safety crisis before more lives are lost?
