Pics by: Aditya Aithal

Daijiworld Media Network – Brahmavar (JD)

Brahmavar, July 26: The Save National Highway-66 Committee has threatened to call for a Brahmavar shutdown on September 4, if the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) fails to complete the long-pending service road construction between Mabukala and Bhadragiri on both sides of the highway.

Addressing a press conference, Govindraj Hegde, convener of the committee, stated, “It is our long-term demand to build a service road from Mabukala to Bhadragiri on both sides of the national highway. The NHAI is delaying the work. The work which was started near the SMS School is also incomplete. We had met the minister also for our demands. NHAI is not responding to our demands. If the NHAI doesn't finish the service road work, creation of a 7-pillar flyover with 3 median openings, by August end, on September 4 we will hold Brahmavar bandh.”

He further declared that if the NHAI continues to neglect the issue, locals will take matters into their own hands. “We ourselves will create service roads from Fortune Hotel to Bhadragiri with the help of villagers of eight villages. I request the district commissioner to instruct NHAI to provide us with JCB, tipper and other necessary equipment for the road construction work. Let the NHAI give clear instructions in writing. We urge the NHAI and the MP to call for a meeting with our committee and give clear notification,” he added.

The press conference saw the presence of several local leaders and association representatives including Ramesh Nayak, president of the Taxi Owners Association; Raju Poojary, honorary president of the Auto Drivers Association; Balakrishna Shetty, vice president of CITU; Alvares D’Silva, representative of SMS Institutions; Dayanand Shetty, Pratheeth Hegde, Vishwanath Shetty from the Tempo Owners Association; and Rajaram Shetty, Chandrashekar Hegde, among others.