NHAI booked for causing death of motorcyclist on Kochi-Panvel highway in Udupi

Udupi Traffic Police booked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and others on September 1 for causing the death of a two-wheeler rider by negligence on account of bad condition of Panvel-Kochi National Highway 66.

The stretch of service road from Karavali Junction joining the NH near Kinnimulky in Udupi. Service roads on either side of Ambalpady Junction on Kochi-Panvel National Highway 66, where the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is building a vehicular overpass, are not well-maintained.
| Photo Credit:
ANIL KUMAR SASTRY

Pradeep Kumar, 33, was riding a motorcycle on the service road from Karavali Junction towards Kinnimulky. He fell on the road while negotiating a pothole at Ambalapady Junction where the NHAI is constructing a vehicular overpass. As he fell down, a 16-wheel truck crushed his head on the spot, which was captured on CCTV camera. The footage was released by the Udupi district police.

While the stretch of NH 66 between Kinnimulky and Karavali Junction is closed to facilitate construction of a vehicular overpass at Ambalapady Junction, motorists are diverted through the service roads on either side of the highway. The condition of the service roads is bad.

Complainant Sudhir Naik from Shivapura in Karkala taluk accused the NHAI, its contractor Karla Constructions, and truck driver Lav Kumar Patil, of being responsible for the death of the motorcycle rider. Mr. Naik said the accident happened because of the negligence of all three. While the NHAI and its contractor did not maintain the service road in a motorable condition while the work on the vehicular overpass is underway, the truck driver drove the vehicle in a negligent manner, the complainant alleged.

Several potholes and craters have emerged on the service roads due to the apathy of the NHAI and its contractor, he added.

Police have booked cases of rash and negligent driving and causing death by negligence against the accused.