NHAI Officials Booked for Motorcyclist's Tragic Death on Udupi's Ill-Maintained Service Road

A shocking incident has cast a grim spotlight on the state of national highway maintenance in Udupi, as officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and a contractor's site engineer now face serious legal charges. This comes after the tragic death of a 27-year-old motorcyclist, Ganesh M, who succumbed to injuries sustained from an accident allegedly caused by a treacherous pothole on a poorly maintained service road alongside National Highway 66.

The devastating incident occurred on March 13, when Ganesh, riding his motorcycle near the Adi Udupi flyover on the Kochi-Panvel National Highway 66, encountered an egregious defect in the service road.

According to the complaint lodged by his grief-stricken father, Manjunath M, on March 16, Ganesh lost control of his bike after hitting a significant pothole and falling, leading to fatal injuries. This heartbreaking event has not only shattered a family but has also ignited a renewed call for accountability regarding road safety.

The Udupi Traffic Police have taken decisive action, registering an FIR under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (causing death by negligence).

The complaint explicitly names the NHAI Project Director in Udupi and the site engineer of the contractor responsible for the road's upkeep. This move underscores the gravity with which authorities are viewing the alleged dereliction of duty, directly linking the lack of proper road maintenance to the tragic loss of life.

Manjunath M's complaint highlights a critical issue that has plagued residents for an extended period: the deplorable condition of service roads, particularly in the Adi Udupi area.

He asserted that despite numerous public grievances and the persistent danger posed by these unkempt stretches — often left unpaved with loose gravel and soil — NHAI officials and their contractors failed to undertake necessary repairs and maintenance. This systemic neglect created a perilous environment for commuters, a danger that tragically manifested in Ganesh's death.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the immense responsibility entrusted to infrastructure authorities.

When roads, meant to connect and facilitate safe travel, become death traps due to oversight and inaction, the consequences are catastrophic. The legal proceedings against the NHAI officials and the contractor's engineer represent a crucial step towards ensuring that such negligence is not only addressed but also prevented in the future, hopefully leading to safer roads for all.