Kundapura: Scooter rider dies in car collision near Arate bridge

Kundapura: Scooter rider dies in car collision near Arate bridge

Mangalore Today News Network

Kundapura, Oct 12, 2026: A 55-year-old scooter rider died after his two-wheeler collided head-on with a car on National Highway 66 near Arate Bridge, close to Mullikatte in Kundapura taluk, on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as Ajith Paul Lewis, a resident of Bhandarkars Road in Kundapura town.

Ajith, who sustained serious injuries in the accident, was rushed to a private hospital in Kundapura by M.H.I. emergency ambulance driver Ibrahim Gangolli and Abrar Gangolli. However, doctors confirmed that he had succumbed to his injuries.

Ajith was working as a general manager at a private company in Delhi and used to visit his hometown four to five times a year. He had returned to Kundapura around eight to 10 days ago due to his mother’s illness.

According to reports, he was travelling to a school near Mullikatte to enquire about his daughter’s academic progress when the accident occurred.

Kundapura Traffic Police Sub-Inspectors Anoop Nayak and Sudha Prabhu, along with other personnel, visited the spot and conducted an inspection. A case has been registered.

Delayed bridge repair work raises safety concerns

Repair work on Arate Bridge has been ongoing for several years, and delays have led to the closure of one side of the bridge. Traffic has been diverted to the other side, where vehicles are permitted to move in both directions.

The altered traffic arrangement has made movement along this stretch challenging, with minor accidents reportedly occurring frequently.

Although the authorities had installed reflective traffic cones to improve road safety, several of them have reportedly been damaged by heavy vehicles travelling at night. Failure to follow traffic rules, careless driving and overspeeding have also been cited as contributing factors to accidents on this stretch. Some of these accidents have resulted in fatalities and injuries.

Residents have urged the authorities to expedite the repair work on Arate Bridge and restore the regular one-way traffic arrangement on both sides of the highway to ensure the safety of motorists.