Bantwal: Locals vent anger on highway officials, threaten to stop toll collection
Mounesh Vishwakarma
Pics: Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, Nov 14: A protest was held by Janapara Horata Samithi of Brahmarakootlu on the national highway here on Wednesday, November 13 to demand basic amenities.
The villagers alleged neglect by officials in providing basic necessities like bus stand and service roads during the development of national highway 75. The highway authority is eager to collect toll, but it will not be allowed to do so, unless the demands of local people are met, warned the protesters.
Though an official of the highway authority then arrived at the spot and promised construction of a bus stand, underpass and service road on either side of the highway, the protesters did not budge and demanded that the higher officials of the highway authority come to the spot of the protest.
Sriram Mishra, planning director of national highway authority arrived at 11.30 am and tried to pacify the protestors. He promised to build an underpass to connect Brahmarakootlu-Kallige village. He said that the technical process for construction of service road is underway and the work will be started after March and will be over by June next year.
The protesters then shouted slogans against the highway authority and said that they will not allow collection of toll until the work gets over. Sriram Mishra, who objected to it, said that the government has ordered for collection of toll. As it is a part of government’s revenue, it was long overdue and cannot be postponed, he said. There was heated discussion between the official and the protesters.
The police circle inspector Rajashekar Mistry and town police inspector Kabbal Raj intervened and requested the protesters to be patient with the highway officials and maintain law and order. The protesters who objected, asked the police officials whether they will solve their problems. It aggravated the situation.
Ultimately Sriram Mishra agreed to speak to his higher-ups and agreed to give an undertaking in writing by evening that the work would be started in March 2014 and completed in June 2014. The protestors said that they will not pull back from the protest until the undertaking is given.
Their demands include two bus stands on either side of the highway, repairs to Ramalkatte – Talapady access road, overbridge across the highway and an access road to the highway from Brahmarakootlu.
Roopesh Jyothigudde, leaders Purusha Salian, G Ananda, Govinda Prabhu, Navin Chandra, Bharath Kumdelu, Charan Jumadigudde, Prakash Thumbe, Madhava Kumdelu, Charan Jumadigudde, Prakash Thumbe, Madhava Valavooru and others participated in the protest.
Tight security was provided by Bantwal police and rural police force.