The Congress party in Mangaluru staged a strong protest against the poor condition of National Highway 66, highlighting the risks posed to commuters and the lack of timely action by authorities. Protesters, led by senior party leaders, gathered near the affected stretches of the highway, raising slogans and demanding accountability from both state and central governments. They pointed out that NH 66, a crucial route connecting coastal Karnataka with other parts of the state, has become nearly unmotorable in several areas. With potholes, waterlogging, and crumbling patches, the road has turned into a nightmare for motorists.
According to Congress leaders, despite repeated complaints from citizens and civic groups, no meaningful repairs have been carried out on NH 66. They alleged that government inaction reflects apathy towards the people of the coastal belt, who depend heavily on this highway for trade, travel, and daily transport. The protesters held placards comparing NH 66 to a “death trap” and accused ruling party leaders of making promises without delivering results. Traffic congestion, frequent accidents, and delays in goods transport were cited as direct consequences of the deteriorating highway.
Motorists and local residents who joined the protest shared harrowing experiences of navigating NH 66. Many said they fear for their safety while driving at night due to the poor visibility of potholes and lack of proper signage. Fishermen and traders complained that the condition of the highway has impacted the movement of goods, increasing transport costs and reducing profits. Several protesters demanded immediate intervention by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and threatened to intensify agitation if repairs were not carried out quickly.
Political Reactions and Accountability
The protest by Congress has triggered sharp political exchanges in Karnataka. While Congress leaders accused the ruling party of neglecting infrastructure in the coastal region, ruling party members countered that delays were caused by procedural approvals and monsoon disruptions. Congress leaders, however, dismissed these explanations as excuses, arguing that timely planning and preventive maintenance could have averted the present crisis. They also criticized the government’s focus on inaugurating new projects while failing to maintain existing infrastructure critical to public safety.
The issue has gained traction in Mangaluru and surrounding districts, where residents have long voiced dissatisfaction over the highway’s condition. Civic groups, transport associations, and traders have joined the call for accountability, demanding not just patchwork repairs but a comprehensive overhaul of NH 66. The opposition has vowed to escalate protests at both state and national levels, warning that continued neglect could turn public anger into a major electoral issue.
The anger over NH 66 has spilled into social media, where residents have been sharing photos and videos of dangerous stretches to highlight the urgency of the issue. Images of crater-sized potholes filled with rainwater and long traffic jams have gone viral, drawing wider attention across the state. Hashtags demanding action have begun trending locally, amplifying the voices of ordinary citizens. This digital outcry has further embarrassed authorities, who are now under pressure to respond not only to street protests but also to the growing online scrutiny of their inaction.
Civil society groups have seized the momentum created by the Congress protest to push for long-term solutions. NGOs and local associations have called for citizen committees to monitor highway works and ensure transparency in spending. They argue that without community oversight, repairs risk being delayed or carried out with poor-quality materials, leading to a repeat of the same problems. By proposing participatory governance, these groups hope to build a system where residents have a say in ensuring accountability for infrastructure development.
The business community has also raised its voice, pointing out that the poor condition of NH 66 affects trade efficiency and investor confidence in coastal Karnataka. Industrialists argue that reliable connectivity is vital for attracting new industries, particularly in logistics, fisheries, and tourism. They warned that continued neglect could discourage future investment, stunting economic growth in the region. Many traders joined the protest in solidarity, underlining that the highway is more than just a transport route—it is a vital economic artery for Mangaluru and beyond.
As the standoff continues, the NH 66 protest has become symbolic of broader frustrations with governance and accountability. What began as a call to fix potholes has evolved into a debate on how governments prioritize infrastructure, respond to citizen grievances, and manage resources. For the people of Mangaluru, the issue is not just about road quality but about being heard and valued by those in power. The coming weeks will test whether authorities act decisively or allow the issue to fade, risking further erosion of public trust.
Way Forward and Citizen Expectations
As the protests intensify, citizens are demanding long-term solutions instead of temporary fixes. Experts suggest that NH 66 requires modern engineering interventions, better drainage systems, and durable surfacing to withstand coastal weather conditions. Local residents emphasized that the highway is not only a lifeline for trade but also essential for tourism in coastal Karnataka. The government, under mounting pressure, is now expected to expedite repair and redevelopment works. For many in Mangaluru, however, the Congress protest is seen as a wake-up call, reflecting public impatience with poor infrastructure and highlighting the urgency of action on NH 66.
The protest over NH 66 has amplified longstanding frustrations among Mangaluru residents, who feel that their concerns have been ignored for years. Locals recall repeated promises of highway upgrades, yet every monsoon exposes the same vulnerabilities, with potholes reappearing and road surfaces deteriorating rapidly. This recurring cycle has created a sense of helplessness among commuters who rely on the road daily. Many see the Congress protest as a much-needed push to draw attention to an issue that has lingered unresolved despite its critical importance to the region’s economy and safety.
Truck drivers who frequently use NH 66 have voiced particular frustration at the poor road conditions, which they say cause not only delays but also damage to their vehicles. Many have reported increased maintenance costs due to recurring breakdowns caused by uneven surfaces, waterlogging, and potholes. Transport unions argue that this adds financial stress to an industry already struggling with rising fuel prices and regulatory burdens. For drivers covering long distances, the condition of NH 66 has become a symbol of infrastructural neglect, eroding their trust in government commitments to road safety and maintenance.
The tourism sector, a major revenue generator for coastal Karnataka, has also suffered due to the dilapidated highway. Hoteliers and tour operators in Mangaluru and Udupi say tourists often complain about the dangerous stretches of NH 66, discouraging repeat visits. With scenic beaches and temples drawing domestic and international visitors, the poor highway has become a bottleneck that damages the region’s image as a reliable tourist destination. Congress leaders highlighted this point during the protest, emphasizing that poor infrastructure is undermining opportunities for economic growth.
Farmers and fishermen, too, are among those bearing the brunt of the deteriorating highway. Agricultural produce and seafood often need to reach markets quickly to avoid spoilage, but slow transport due to the poor state of NH 66 results in financial losses. Many farmers joined the Congress protest to demand urgent action, pointing out that the highway is essential not only for consumer goods but also for sustaining livelihoods in coastal communities. The protest thus brought together a cross-section of society, all united by the common grievance of poor road conditions.
Congress leaders used the occasion to spotlight what they termed the government’s misplaced priorities. They criticized the ruling party for allocating funds to new projects while neglecting critical infrastructure already in use. They argued that investments in modern flyovers and highways make little sense if existing lifelines like NH 66 remain in disrepair. This line of criticism resonated with many locals, who feel that flashy announcements often overshadow urgent maintenance needs. Opposition leaders vowed to keep the spotlight on NH 66 until tangible improvements are visible.
In response to the protest, government officials reiterated their commitment to upgrading NH 66 but stopped short of providing a concrete timeline. They claimed that tendering processes, funding approvals, and seasonal challenges were factors behind the delay. However, this explanation has not satisfied the public, who see the same excuses repeated year after year. Critics argue that with sufficient political will, the government could have prioritized the project earlier, sparing citizens from years of inconvenience and risk. The protest has therefore intensified calls for accountability beyond vague assurances.
The condition of NH 66 has also raised questions about the role of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). While the state government often blames the central agency for delays, NHAI has countered that local coordination and land acquisition issues are also obstacles. This back-and-forth between authorities has left citizens caught in the middle, with no clear timeline for improvements. Congress leaders framed this administrative blame game as a deliberate attempt to deflect responsibility, further fueling public anger.
Safety concerns remain at the forefront of the debate, with the highway increasingly seen as a dangerous route for commuters. Recent months have witnessed a spike in accidents attributed to the poor road conditions, many of them fatal. Families of victims have joined the chorus of voices demanding urgent repairs, transforming the protest from a political event into a broader movement for road safety. Activists have warned that unless repairs are expedited, more lives will be lost on NH 66, making the issue both a humanitarian and political crisis.
The protest has also ignited discussions about infrastructure planning in coastal Karnataka. Experts argue that the region’s heavy rainfall and coastal terrain require specialized engineering solutions, not generic road-building techniques. They recommend durable road surfaces, robust drainage, and regular inspections as preventive measures. Congress leaders echoed these concerns, pointing out that repeated patchwork repairs have proven inadequate. They argued that the situation demands a complete overhaul of the highway, rather than temporary fixes that only last until the next monsoon.
For many citizens, the Congress protest was less about party politics and more about giving voice to everyday struggles. Residents who participated expressed relief that their grievances had finally reached a larger platform. Yet, they remain skeptical about whether this attention will translate into lasting change. As one protester remarked, “We don’t want promises; we want results.” The demand for accountability has thus evolved into a larger call for governance reforms, where public safety and infrastructure maintenance are treated as top priorities, not afterthoughts.
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