Bhatkal: The demand for an underpass at Qidwai Cross in Bhatkal has gained momentum following the death of a scooter rider in a collision with a speeding truck while crossing the National Highway on Saturday night. Responding to public concerns and repeated demands for safer road access, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Project Director Shivakumar visited the accident site on Tuesday, inspected the highway and heard complaints and suggestions from local residents and representatives of various organisations.
During the visit, Majlis-e-Islah-wa-Tanzeem Bhatkal president Inayatullah Shabandari and general secretary Azizur Rahman Ruknuddin Nadvi urged the project director to address the difficulties faced by residents crossing the highway to reach Railway Station and Gulmi from Qidwai Cross. They said crossing the busy highway at this location had become extremely dangerous and that an underpass was essential to prevent further accidents.
Azizur Rahman Nadvi pointed out that residents, particularly those from Qidwai Road, Usman Nagar and Gulmi, had repeatedly submitted memorandums to the NHAI seeking an underpass, but no concrete action had been taken so far. A copy of an earlier memorandum submitted by local residents was also handed over to the project director, reiterating the demand for an underpass to prevent further loss of life.
Satish Kumar Naik, president of the National Highway Horata Samiti, also stressed the urgency of the demand, stating that the heavy volume of traffic at the location made crossing the highway a life-threatening exercise for pedestrians and commuters.
Project Director Shivakumar said the location would need to be officially identified as a black spot for the underpass proposal to be considered. In response, Bhatkal DySP Girish assured the delegation that he would send a special letter to the NHAI in this regard.
Meanwhile, Naik called for immediate temporary safety measures, noting that approval from higher authorities for an underpass could take time. He urged the authorities to install speed breakers to slow down vehicles and provide zebra crossings, traffic signals and proper directional signboards at the junction.
Later, a meeting was held at the Circuit House with representatives of the National Highway Horata Samiti and officials of the NHAI and IRB. The meeting discussed public difficulties arising from incomplete works on the four-laning of the National Highway in Bhatkal.
Naik demanded the installation of streetlights along the entire highway stretch from the Mod Bhatkal bypass to Tengangundi Cross. He also called for extending the service road, which currently ends at Ranginkatta, further towards Tengangundi Cross.
Tanzeem representatives also urged the authorities to introduce appropriate road-safety measures at Anjuman College Road, Hospital Road and in front of Noor Masjid, particularly for vehicles entering Bhatkal's downtown area from the National Highway, to prevent potential accidents.
Bhatkal Police Inspector Divakar, representatives of the Tanzeem and Labbaik Nawayath, residents of Gulmi and Usman Nagar, the local councillor, members of the Gulmi Panchayat and others were present during the visit and subsequent discussions.