Mangalore: Former Mayor Shashidhar Hegde Calls for Maximum Compensation in Pothole Death Case
Mangalore: Former Mayor of Mangalore City Corporation, Shashidhar Hegde, has strongly advocated for maximum compensation to be awarded to the family of Madhavi, the woman who tragically lost her life after falling into a pothole on National Highway 66 in Kulur.
Speaking at a press conference held at the District Congress office on Wednesday, Hegde expressed his condemnation of the incident, stating, “Registering a case against the highway authority is justifiable. But the silence of the MPs and MLAs regarding this incident is condemnable.” He emphasized the deteriorating condition of National Highway 66, a crucial artery for the district, which he described as being riddled with potholes and increasingly hazardous. “Many are dying due to continuous accidents. A situation has arisen where there is no certainty that those who leave home for work will return home alive,” he lamented.
Hegde highlighted a series of recent accidents directly attributable to the perilous condition of the highway. On September 10th, Madhavi was fatally struck by a mini lorry in Kulur after attempting to avoid a pothole. Just days prior, on September 6th, two-wheeler riders narrowly escaped serious injury when they fell into a pothole at Nanthoor Junction, saved only by the quick thinking of a bus driver. He further cited the death of Mohammed Ashraf of Suratkal three months ago, who also perished after falling into a pothole. Additionally, he mentioned the tragic death of a young engineer in Kodikal on his first day of work, and the demise of a college lecturer, whose wedding was imminent, both victims of similar pothole-related accidents.
The former mayor was sharply critical of highway officials, asserting, “If highway officials are unable to work, they should resign and go home.” He questioned the allocation of toll revenue, stating, “Crores of rupees are being collected annually at the tollgate, but it is not being used for repair work. Where is the money collected in ten years?”
Anil Kumar, former Leader of the Opposition, echoed Hegde’s concerns, emphasizing that simply filling potholes would not suffice as a long-term solution. “Concretizing the highway is the permanent solution,” he insisted. The Congress party is demanding accountability from highway authorities and urging immediate action to address the dangerous conditions plaguing National Highway 66.