Crushed stone used to fill potholes and craters at both ends of the Old Bridge across the Phalguni (Gurupura) River causes dust clouds as vehicles move through the Kulur bridge in Mangaluru on Friday.
| Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH
Potholes and craters have resurfaced along and at both ends of the twin bridges across the Phalguni (Gurupura) River in Kulur, severely affecting vehicular movement on the busy Mangaluru-Udupi section of the Kanyakumari-Panvel National Highway 66.
The bitumen coat on the road surface has worn off at many places, exposing the road foundation. Though the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had asphalted the stretch before the onset of the monsoon, subsequent rains have caused extensive damage to the highway.
Potholes and craters at both the ends and along the New Bridge across River Phalguni (Gurupura) affect smooth movement of vehicles in Kulur on Friday in Mangaluru.
| Photo Credit:
H.S. MANJUNATH
Following the poor condition of the highway near the bridges, vehicles have been piling up on both ends, particularly on the Udupi-Mangaluru carriageway during peak hours, as the condition of the old bridge is particularly bad. Sudesh Kumar, a regular commuter, said on Nagara Panchami, when a government holiday was declared, a vehicle pileup was witnessed till the Baikampady Junction on the Udupi-Mangaluru carriageway.
Even the stretch of the Udupi-Mangaluru carriageway between Pardeep Phosphates Ltd (formerly MCF) and the Kulur Bridge has witnessed craters and potholes, particularly closer to the median. The dug-up highway shoulder on the left-hand side makes things worse for motorists, Mr. Kumar said.
Bitumen plant
NHAI Mangaluru Project Director Abdulla Javed Azmi told The Hindu that the authority was waiting for the reopening of bitumen mix plants to resurface the affected stretches of the highway with a bitumen coat. A permanent solution will come when the new six-lane bridge is thrown open and the carriageways are concreted, he said.
Regarding the stretch affected near Pardeep Phosphates, Mr. Azmi said it was due to the spilling of chemical fertilisers being transported out of the factory. This issue would also be attended to, he said.
Published – August 22, 2026 08:12 pm IST
