Mangalore, March 28: Shivaram Kulashekar had his “heart in his mouth” when he lost control over his autorickshaw which accidentally entered a ditch near Nanthoor Circle. “Fortunately nothing untoward happened. There were three passengers in my vehicle,” he said.
This ditch between the junction of the national highway and Bikarnakatte Road is among the many hurdles that motorists have to keep an eye while passing the Nanthoor junction.
“This is the busiest junction that is also difficult for motorists to negotiate,” said autorickshaw driver Babu Kulashekar.
It is at this junction that vehicles coming from the Karnataka Polytechnic side join those from the Pumpwell, Mallikatta and Bikarnakatte side. Many heavy vehicles, including those carrying petroleum and chemicals, proceeding towards Udupi, Bangalore and Kerala have to cross this junction. Buses proceeding towards Neermarga, Pilikula, Kuntikana, Bajpe and Moodbidre also pass through the junction.
The problem in negotiating the junction has been more so for motorists going to the city from Bikarnakatte.
“It is difficult to spot the vehicles coming from the polytechnic side or from the Pumpwell side. This has resulted in many accidents,” said Deepak Bikarnakatte.
“The saving grace is the (Bikarnakatte) road-widening work. It has slowed down the speed of vehicles and has brought the number of accidents down,” he said.
The traffic signal light at this junction has not been of any use. “It only creates traffic jams. It stopped functioning six years ago,” said Raj who hails from the area. The constable posted at the junction finds it hard to control traffic.
“There will be traffic jams on the Mallikatta side and the Bikarnakatte side during peak hours,” said Joe D'Costa.
The traffic would be heavy around 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., he said.
Motorists said the authorities were yet to act on a proposal for a flyover at the junction.
“It becomes all the more necessary as a new bus stand is coming up near Pumpwell,” said Shivaram Kulashekar. A proposal to build a flyover here was recently shelved by the National Highways Authority of India.
There appears to be no immediate solution to the problems of motorists.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic) Mutturaya said work on the Nantoor junction could be taken up only after completion of the Bikarnakatte road-widening work.
An assistant sub-inspector had been posted to regulate traffic at Nantoor junction during peak hours, he added.
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