MP warns of legal action against NHAI officials, contractors if poor highway maintenance leads to accidents

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary directed the National Highways Authority of India to expedite the construction of service roads between Ambagilu (in picture) and Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Temple along the flanks of National Highway 66 in Udupi at a review meeting in Manipal on Friday. | Photo Credit: ANIL KUMAR SASTRY Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary on Friday, October 30, cautioned the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) that legal action will be taken against its officials and contractors concerned if road accidents occur on highways because of a lack of upkeep and maintenance.Chairing a review meeting on national highways at Rajatadri, the district office complex in Manipal, Mr. Poojary expressed serious concern over the increasing number of accidents on National Highway 66 between Hejmady and Kundapura in Udupi district. Toll collection alone should not be the concern of the contractor, who should pay equal attention to maintenance of the highway as per the prescribed standards, the MP said.He said while awarding toll collection contracts for national highways, the contractors were clearly told about the tasks to be performed. However, the maintenance of highways in the district was not being done properly as per the guidelines. If this continues, there was a possibility of people refusing to pay toll, he said, cautioning the NHAI to be careful.Stating that 22 black spots were identified along NH 66 in the district, he instructed the NHAI to immediately take up scientific works, including the installation of traffic lights, signboards, barricades, blinkers, and other measures at important junctions to make them accident-free.The MP asked the NHAI to expedite construction of about 800 m of service roads along NH 66 between Ambagilu Junction and Lakshmi Venkateshwara Temple in Udupi. Ambagilu was an important junction; precautions should be taken to prevent any accidents due to heavy traffic. He said service road construction works already taken up in various places, including Nittur, Thekkatte, and Kumbhashi, should be completed quickly.Asking the NHAI to stop sky-walk construction at Thenka Ermal following public opposition, he asked it to construct them at busy places, including Ambagilu and Mahesh Hospital Junction in Brahmavara.Kapu MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty demanded a flyover at Padubidri at the junction of NH 66 and the Padubidri-Karkala State Highway because of the heavy density of vehicles. Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna demanded service roads between Balaipade and Korangrapadi in Udupi. Published - October 30, 2026 07:31 pm IST