Udupi: District In-charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj instructed the national highway officials to set right the service roads at the earliest and ease the problems encountered by the pedestrians.

Speaking at a meeting held to discuss the complaints received from the public regarding NH-66, the minister said improper drainage system on either side of the national highways has created flood like situation in the areas like Katpadi, Sasthana and Kota. The water has gushed into the houses adjacent to the roads. He said minimum basic facilities should be ensured. He said the national highway authorities should seriously consider the suggestions given by the district administration. The district administration has responsibilities of assuring the hassle-free transport as well other conveniences to the public.

He instructed the Public Works Department executive engineer to study and report on the negotiations held between district administration and NHAI for tollgate. He directed the Assistant Commissioner Ashwathi to call for a meeting and discuss the problems with Panchayat Department Officials (PDO) and tahsildar in Kundapur and Hejamadi. He said the list of damages incurred owing to the widening of national highway should be worked out and the repair works should be taken up by the NHAI. Residents from the area of Kota High school junction, Santhekatte, Kalyanpura, Navunda and Basruru demanded for underpass and the public from Ambalapadi appealed for the construction of flyover in the junction.

The discussion was also held regarding bridges in the area covering the national highway from Tallur and Kundapur. The public said there are several potholes which pose severe threatand demanded for construction of the bus stops. They urged to set right the problems created due to the tollgate. They also demanded that local people to be employed to work at tollgate.

The public from Katpadi, Kapu and Byndoor appealed the minister to make permanent arrangements for the free flow of water in the areas. Responding to a query from the minister, Udupi DySP Kumaraswami said as many as 3,010 road accidents have been reported from 2010 till date. Around 4,309 people have been injured and 750 people have died. Most deaths were reported when the pedestrians cross the stretch. NH official Samsun Vijay Kumar said the work to widen the stretch at Padubidri would begin shortly. He said various demands to construct the fly over, foot over and underpass at Ambalapadi junction has created problem to arrive at the conclusion and approval.

Meanwhile, a City Municipal Council official alleged that water pipes from Karavali Junction to Sandeepnagar has been damaged because of the national highway construction work.