Madikeri: Residents of Perumbadi and Balugod have given authorities a 20-day deadline to repair the Bittangala-Balugod-Perumbadi road, the main route connecting Karnataka to Kerala’s international airport. They warned that they will launch an agitation if the work is not taken up.The road, which comes under public works department purview, had remained in good condition for the last 15 years. However, residents said it has completely deteriorated in recent years and is now unfit for use.The road has developed potholes and is filled with muddy water, making commuting a daily struggle for residents and motorists. Demanding immediate repairs, the residents staged a protest at the Balugod-Perumbadi junction.Protesters accused the authorities concerned and public representatives of failing to take any action.Former taluk panchayat member and social worker BM Ganesh said that although complete reconstruction of the road cannot be taken up immediately because of the rainy season, at least the potholes should be filled. “The drains on both sides of the road are blocked, and rainwater is flowing on the road,” he stated.Former Bittangala gram panchayat member Raja Somanna said hundreds of heavy vehicles, mainly buses and lorries bound for Kerala, use the route. “Since this road is completely bad, they have to use the Virajpet route. Due to this, the traffic congestion in Virajpet is also increasing,” he said.
