Hassan: Motorists on the busy Bengaluru-Mangaluru stretch of NH-75 are facing increased risks as four-lane widening work continues in Hassan district without adequate safety measures or warning signboards.Lakhs of vehicles ply on the highway every day, but drivers are often not alerted in advance about diversions, excavations, narrowed lanes, or sudden changes in the carriageway. The situation is particularly hazardous for tourists and two-wheeler riders unfamiliar with the route.Commuters alleged that contractors are using oil barrels instead of proper barricades and reflective markers to cordon off work sites, making them difficult to spot at night and during rain. Unscientific speed-breakers without reflective paint, zebra markings, or warning signs are also forcing motorists to apply brake abruptly, increasing the risk of skidding and collisions.Poor traffic management at construction zones has further added to the danger. Several accidents have reportedly occurred due to the lack of signboards. Motorists said some two-wheeler riders take the wrong side of the road to avoid long detours, while truckers often use unauthorised routes to save time and fuel.Anup, a biker travelling from Bengaluru to Sakleshpur, said he narrowly escaped a fall after riding over an unmarked speed-breaker. “There was no reflector or warning tape. I almost lost control of my bike,” he said.The stretch is also riddled with potholes. Divakar, a truck driver who frequently uses the route, described driving on the highway as a nightmare. “The chances of accidents are very high, and drivers need to be extremely careful,” he said.Shivappa, a local tea stall owner, alleged that several bikers had been injured and many accidents narrowly averted. “We have repeatedly asked workers to install signboards and barricades, but nothing has changed,” he said.Deputy commissioner KS Latha Kumari said she had directed NHAI officials to install safety signboards and strengthen road safety measures without delay.
