Journey on potholes-dotted NH-44 a dangerous ordeal

NIZAMABAD: Journey on National Highway 44 becomes more dangerous as the Hyderabad-Nagpur highway stretch between Baswapur in Bhiknoor mandal and Sadashivanagar in Kamareddy district is dotted with potholes.

Unable to guard against these potholes, vehicle drivers keep causing several accidents. NHAI authorities collecting road tolls from motorists show no interest in undertaking the repairs, motorists complain.

NH 44 enters Telangana in the undivided Mahabubnagar district and ends at Adilabad district on the Maharashtra border. Passenger and goods vehicles pass through the highway in large numbers.

Traffic density along the Bengaluru-Hyderabad-Nagpur stretch is high. Depending on the road condition, NHAI permits a vehicle speed of up to 100km per hour on NH-44.

Incessant rains in erstwhile Medak, Nizamabad and Adilabad districts damaged NH 44 along several stretches. The road between Baswapur and Sadashivanagar was badly damaged and potholes turned dangerous.

Meanwhile, the bridge at Rameshwarpally village developed cracks on the highway, the locals complained.

Recently, an RTC driver slowed his vehicle after noticing a set of potholes on the highway. A speeding truck coming from the rear side hit the bus, resulting in injuries to the passengers.

The Kamareddy district police alerted motorists against the presence of dangerous potholes on NH 44 and alerted the NHAI for repairs. SP Srinivasa Reddy recommended immediate repair work to avoid accidents.

Vehicle owners are unable to notice the stationary trucks on the highway as the stopper boards are not conveniently placed for motorists to notice the danger ahead.

Meanwhile, the NHAI is prompt in collecting the toll taxes at Bhiknoor, even as the road stretch remains badly damaged. Repair works on the highway were at a slow pace in some areas. Complaints are that the NHAI officials are not serious about speedier completion of the works and rather side with the contractors.

Motorist Chandrasen Reddy said, “We are facing a lot of inconvenience on NH 44 from Dichpally to Bhiknoor.

NHAI project director C. Srinivasa Rao said that within three days they will complete the repair works of NH 44. "We directed authorities concerned to complete the works on a priority basis", he said. Non-availability of hot mix material delayed the pothole repairs, he said. Cold mix repairs will not be sufficient for major damages of the road, he said. Giving priority at junctions, different teams pressed into service to complete repair works, he added.