Highways turn death traps in U-K district

KARWAR: Travelling on the national highways has become a nightmarish experience for drivers and passengers in Uttara Kannada district. Sharp curves and innumerable potholes on the national highways that pass through the district - NH 63, NH-17 and NH-206 - often cause accidents killing scores during the seasonal monsoon every year.  As many as 13 people died in three major road accidents on the highways this month alone. Seven people died when a KSRTC bus overturned at a curve at Harkade village near Kumta on NH 17 a few days ago.This was followed by another major accident at Kodlagadde cross on NH 63 between Ankola and Yellapur in which 4 people lost their lives.In yet another road accident on Tuesday, two brothers, who were travelling in a goods vehicle were crushed to death at Mudbhatkal near Bhatkal when the vehicle that they were travelling was hit by a lorry near a bridge. A private bus met with an accident at Sankrubag cross, 7 km from here, on Tuesday night injuring the driver. There are many sharp curves on these highways, which are dangerous. “Unless the driver is very cautious, it is likely that he will lose control over the vehicle leading to accident,” said a commuter.   He also opined that there is an urgent need to widen the roads at sharp curves and install boards cautioning drivers on the hair-pin curves and U-turns on the highways.