A 30-year-old man, Muttayya Shankarayya Yalguppimath, a resident of Somnatti village in Bailhongal taluk, lost his life on the spot in a road accident reported on Congress Road (near Goodness)in Belagavi city on Saturday afternoon.
Muttayya, who earned his livelihood by assisting and caring for senior citizens, was the sole breadwinner of his family. His sudden death has plunged his family and the village of Somnatti into deep grief.
According to preliminary information, a heavy mining truck moving from the first railway gate towards Gogte Circle collided with Muttayya’s motorcycle, resulting in fatal injuries.
Soon after the incident, residents and passers-by gathered at the spot and expressed strong resentment towards the administration. They pointed out that barricades placed near the first railway gate, coupled with the unchecked movement of heavy vehicles through a busy urban stretch, have repeatedly created dangerous conditions for road users.
The accident has once again highlighted serious administrative lapses by the Belagavi Municipal Corporation and the lack of effective enforcement of traffic regulations. Notably, the stretch near Maratha Colony crossing has also been a cause for concern, with unmarked and poorly designed speed breakers that locals describe as “life breakers” rather than safety measures. Several accidents, both minor and fatal, have occurred at this very location in the past.
Traffic police have also observed that faulty road design and the absence of clear markings are confusing motorists and significantly increasing the risk of accidents. Additionally, the wrong side of the road is a cause of grave concern.
Despite repeated incidents and prior warnings, corrective measures have not been implemented, raising serious questions about accountability. The latest tragedy has once again underscored the urgent need for coordinated action by civic authorities and the police to redesign the road, regulate heavy vehicle movement, and prevent further loss of life at this accident-prone spot.
Wrong side driving must stop and violators of traffic rules must be heavily fined and licenses canceled. City speed limit is 40 therefore marked speed breakers will reduce speeds. No point in blaming Authorities when rules are flouted.