Daijiworld Media Network – Brahmavar (TP)
Brahmavar, Apr 2: Students and various organizations staged a protest at the Brahmavar Mini Vidhana Soudha on April 2, demanding the construction of a flyover and a service road in Brahmavar.
The protest began near St Mary’s Syrian (SMS) College bus stand and concluded at the Mini Vidhana Soudha. More than 500 students and members of various organizations participated.
The demonstration commenced with a silent prayer for Vansh S Shetty, who lost his life in a road accident in Brahmavar on April 1. Students and others marched towards the Mini Vidhana Soudha, shouting slogans in support of their demands. Alwyn Andrade, general secretary of the National Highway Agitation Committee, led the protest.
Various organizations, including St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Brahmavar, SMS Pre-University College, Lions Club Brahmavar-Barkur, St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Youth Association, SMS English Medium School, SMS English Medium High School, Holy Family Church Brahmavar, Indian Red Cross Society, Nirmala English Medium School, Ambedkar Youth Forum, Alumni Association of St Mary’s Syrian College, Taxi and Maxi Cab Drivers and Owners Association Brahmavar, and Giants Group of Brahmavar, participated in the protest.
Alwyn Andrade said, “Today we held a symbolic protest. Young students must stand against this unscientific road work. Just imagine the pain of the mother who lost her child in yesterday’s accident. Such tragedies may happen to anyone, as traveling on this National Highway is risky. This protest should not end today; it must continue until our demands are met.”
Fr M C Mathai, president and correspondent of SMS English Medium School, said, “Udupi is known for its educational institutions. Students must cross the road to reach their institutions, but due to unscientific road construction, many accidents occur, claiming young lives. Over 25 organizations have joined hands in this protest. Authorities must not dismiss this as a small demonstration. The protest will continue until a solution is provided. Brahmavar has several accident-prone zones. Roads are built using taxpayers’ money, so why should we pay taxes for poorly planned roads? Authorities must hold a meeting and resolve this issue at the earliest.”
Social worker Vasanth Giliyar expressed his disappointment, saying, “The people of Brahmavar are not questioning the authorities. I feel Brahmavar is cursed. The MP, MLA, and concerned officials must call an emergency meeting within a week, take a decision, and publicly announce the start date for flyover construction. If they fail, we will stage a fierce protest by blocking the highway next week. This has been decided in today’s protest. In yesterday’s accident, a mother lost her child—everyone must unite for this cause.”
Aishwarya, a student representative, said, “The demand for a flyover and service road has been made for years. A similar accident occurred near SMS College two years ago, leading to protests. If authorities had taken action back then, the boy who lost his life yesterday could have been saved. These accidents result from unscientific road construction. Brahmavar has the highest number of road accidents in the district. If basic road infrastructure is lacking in a democratic country, how can other facilities be well-maintained? The authorities have failed to fulfill public demands. Even during the monsoon, we face severe hardships. I urge the Udupi district administration and the state government to take proper action.”
Abhilasha, principal of SMS English Medium School, Brahmavar, said, “Is this death justified? We have witnessed many such tragedies over the years, and now the situation has reached a crisis point. We need development, but it must benefit everyone, including pedestrians, not just those traveling by cars and buses. There are over seven educational institutions in the district and more than 700 school buses using these highways. When school buses stop on the highway, it causes problems for all vehicles, especially during the monsoon. On behalf of all parents, I urge authorities to construct scientifically planned roads, flyovers, and service roads. A police officer must also be deployed on the service road near Mahesh Hospital, as many pedestrians cross here.”
Nithyanand B R, president of Varamballi gram panchayat, said, “May the soul of Vansh, who lost his life in the accident, rest in peace. The National Highway has created multiple issues in Brahmavar. Due to unscientific service roads, people are forced to travel on the wrong side. I urge the authorities to extend the halted service road near City Centre up to Doopadakatte and from Dharmavaram to Uppinkote. We have appealed multiple times but received no response from the administration. I hope the issue is resolved soon. Crossing the road near Brahmavar bus stop is dangerous, and accident-prone areas like Akashvani Circle and Mahesh Hospital Circle need urgent attention. We request the construction of an overpass, flyover, and proper service roads for public safety.”
Brahmavar tehsildar Shrikanth S Hegde said, “Many accidents occur in Brahmavar, especially near bus stops and SMS School. The deputy commissioner had directed the construction of a service road here two months ago, but the reason for the delay is unclear. Yesterday, she assured that immediate action would be taken. I expect work on the service road to begin within two to three days. Regarding the flyover, the DC stated that it falls under the central government’s jurisdiction, and an appeal will be sent. I strongly urge the construction of a flyover and service road in Brahmavar. I am not fully informed about the previous stay on the flyover construction, but if built, it will benefit many. Several memorandums were submitted to me during the protest, and I will forward them to the DC.”
Community and religious leaders, along with a large number of the general public, participated in the protest.
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