Kumta: Most of the main roads in the Kumta town are in the bad condition and residents blame the local body. 

The vehicles that ply in the Kumta town often skid off the road which causes injuries to the riders. Such incidents have become common ongoing of the day in the town.

The roads of Kumta Fish market, Vegetable market, KSRTC depot, Hegde, Herwatta, Gibb circle have developed large potholes. During rain, movement on this road has become a big challenge for elderly and children.

It is alleged that underground drainage pipeline is the main reason for the damage of roads. For laying the UGD pipeline, the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board had dug up roads in the town but did not repair it as per the requirement after the work is done.

The KUWSDB had taken up UGD pipeline laying work at a cost of rupees 43 crores. The work that started around a year back has been completed. The authorities have successfully laid a UGD network, but they failed to take up the road asphalting work.

Lakshmikanth Naik, a resident of Hegde road, says following the pathetic condition of the road, many people are suffering from back and body aches. It is difficult to ride two wheeler, he said.

"We have requested Kumta municipality to repair the roads. Like me, many people in the town are suffering due to the damaged roads. Trucks and four wheeler get stuck in the pits and slow moving traffic has become a common scene. But still, the authorities are not bothered to take up road repair works", says a local businessman.

MK Suresh, Chief of Kumta TMC, admitted that after laying UGD pipelines, the roads were damaged. "I asked the department concerned to take up asphalting of the roads and write a letter to deputy commissioner S.S Nakul urging for his interference into the matter", he said.