Mangaluru: Over 10 dangerous junctions on Airport Road

Mangaluru: The road connecting Mangaluru International Airport in Kenjar to the city has become increasingly hazardous. The Yeyyadi-Padavinangady stretch is witnessing frequent accidents, raising concerns over safe commuting.

Despite being a 2.5 km-long two-lane road, this route has reported recurring accidents leading to fatalities, creating panic among motorists. The stretch between Yeyyadi and Padavinangady has over 10 junctions, many of which are dangerous. Accidents occur almost daily at one or the other junction. In the past year alone, over 30 accidents have been reported here, leading to more than 5 fatalities and several injuries, with two-wheeler riders being the most affected.

Reasons Behind the Hazards

The dangerous nature of the junctions stems from several factors:

• Over-speeding and negligence of traffic rules.
• Lack of proper safety measures or signals by authorities.
• Vehicles from side roads merging recklessly onto the main road.

Being a two-lane road, vehicles on the main road naturally move at high speeds, while vehicles from inner roads join abruptly, leading to mishaps.

Parking on Roadside Adds to Chaos

Several vehicles are parked along the roadside at junctions, while heavy vehicles like tippers park there overnight. This has also led to accidents, including a recent incident where a tipper collided with a bike, causing fatalities.

Although CCTV cameras are installed at three junctions, there is no police presence to monitor traffic. Locals complain that even during peak evening hours, there is no police regulation on this busy road.

Demand for Speed Breakers / signage

While the police refuse to allow speed breakers on the airport route due to its VIP usage, locals argue that at least the inner roads deserve speed breakers for safety.

Drivers coming from afar are often unaware of the junctions on the Yeyyadi-Padavinangady stretch due to the absence of proper signage and speed breakers. As a result, vehicles speed through, leading to accidents at junctions, posing risks to pedestrians and motorists alike.

Dangerous Junctions Identified

1. Yeyyadi Junction (near Sri Jayaram Bhajana Mandir): Highly hazardous, this junction connects Shaktinagar and Barebail roads without proper signage, leading to frequent accidents.
2. Haripadavu Cross: Located near schools and commercial complexes, this junction lacks speed breakers and signage, despite a CCTV installation. A recent collision involving a tipper led to a biker’s death.
3. Mary Hill Junction: A critical four-way intersection where buses halt at the junction instead of designated stops, increasing risks.
4. Perlaguri Junction (Mugrodi): An unscientific junction with three crossings within a divider, causing confusion and accidents. Temporary barricades add to the chaos.
5. Gurunagar and Land Links Junctions (near Sri Ravishankar Guruji Educational Institution): Both are highly unsafe, with frequent accidents reported.

Steps Taken

Nazma Farooqi, ACP, Traffic Division, Mangaluru, stated: “As this is an airport route with significant VIP movement, speed breakers cannot be installed. However, we have placed some barricades and are working on installing solar blinkers, reflective studs, and signboards. Closing certain crossings might inconvenience local vehicles or lead to traffic jams due to U-turns. Some residents even relocate barricades. The Public Works Department has been instructed to implement safety measures.”

Translated version of Kannada article by Santhosh Bollettu