Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Nov 28: The National Highway Awareness Committee organized a massive protest meeting near Chitrapadi Madigudi on Thursday, November 28 voicing their grievances against the inadequate maintenance of the national highway stretch between Kundapur and Hejamady.

Addressing the gathering, committee president Shyamsundar Nayari expressed frustration over the persistent negligence in maintaining the highway. He stated, "For years, we have been protesting for toll exemptions for locals and against the substandard condition of the highway. Previously, the Navayuga company responded and addressed some issues. However, the current contractor, KKR Company, has failed in road maintenance and given evasive responses. The poor road conditions, filled with potholes, have caused numerous accidents and fatalities. There are no proper service roads, streetlights, or drainage systems. Despite repeated appeals, the company continues to ignore our concerns. This will be our final protest—if this negligence persists, we will take drastic measures to stop toll collection entirely."

Warning to district authorities

The committee also issued a stern warning to the district administration. Protest leader Dinesh Ganiga criticized the deputy commissioner and police officials for their inaction. He remarked, "The deputy commissioner, who is supposed to address the grievances of the public, has remained silent on these issues. If the situation continues, we will be forced to demolish the toll gates in the region."

Mock funeral of KKR officials

In a dramatic protest, demonstrators staged a mock funeral procession of KKR Company and highway authority officials. A hearse entered the protest venue, leaving onlookers stunned as it carried symbolic coffins representing the officials. This act was accompanied by slogans denouncing the company’s negligence.

One-month deadline

Former committee president Pratap Shetty announced that the committee has given the authorities a one-month deadline to fix the potholes and address other critical issues. "If the work is not completed within a month, we will escalate the protest by refusing to pay tolls and allowing vehicles to pass freely," he warned.

Unique protest with death drums

As part of the protest, demonstrators played "death drums" to signify the gravity of the situation and to draw attention to the fatalities caused by poor road conditions.

A memorandum listing the demands was handed over to Brahmavar tahsildar Shrikant S Hegde by Shyamsundar Nayari. The tahsildar assured the protesters that he would instruct KKR Company officials to address the issues within a month and would provide a written update.

KKR supervisor Thimmaiah, Brahmavar circle officer Diwakar, station officers Tejaswi and Raghavendra, and other officials were present at the meeting.

Prominent members of the awareness committee, including Airody Vitthal Poojary, Prashant Shetty, Jayakarnataka Satish Poojary, Rajesh Kaveri, Bhoj Poojary, Rishiraj Sastan, Chandrashekhar Menden, Nagaraj Ganiga, Rajendra Suvarna, Mahabal Poojary, Rajesh Sastan, Achyuta Poojary, Sulatha Hegde, Ganesh Poojary, Leelavathi Gangadhar, Fr Rev D’Silva, and leaders of various organizations, participated in the protest.

Former president Pratap Shetty delivered the introduction, and secretary Alwyn Andrade compered the event.