Kundapur: Frustrated locals vent ire over poor state of NH 66, gherao officials
 
Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
 
Kundapur, Sep 5: The villagers and daily commuters on NH 66 picketed the office of National Highway Authority on Thursday September 5, demanding immediate repairs to NH 66. The highway is filled with pot holes and dust extending from KSRTC bus stand to Tallur and the problem has continued for the last six years.

Every monsoon gives rise to dangerous and life threatening potholes here and numerous two-wheeler riders have met with accidents, they said.

"The oil mixed crusher powder used in inferior quality work of covering potholes here rises in the heat of the sun and spreads in the wind. Several children and travelers had to go to the hospital due to the problem. The highway authority officials too travel by covering their noses, but they have done nothing to solve the problem," said Sachidananda, who led the protest.
 
Several locals then gheraod the assistant executive engineer and demanded that he should come to the highway. The people, who confronted engineer Y Krishna Rao when he came to the spot, warned that they would lock the authority office if the highway is not repaired within a week, besides blocking it in protest.
 
The engineer who accepted their petition, promised that the highway will be sprayed with water and repaired within a week.  The protest was revoked after the promise.
 
Pradeep Dharekar, Rajesh Kaveri, Rajesh Kadgi, Krishnayya Achar, Surya, Balachandra Kanchugar, Chandrashekar Sangam, Santhosh Suvarna and hundreds of people participated in the protest.