Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 22: Members of the Ashrayadata Auto Union, Udupi district, staged a protest for a short time by blocking vehicles at Karavali Junction demanding construction of a proper concrete road on Wednesday July 22.

K Ramesh Shetty, president of the union, addressing the protestors, said, "Every year we are facing the same problem, but we don’t have any permanent solution to this yet. The CMC president is not ready to take the responsibility for the road because it was upgraded to a national highway.

"There should be no need to submit an appeal to an MLA or MP. Maintenance of proper roads is their duty. Moreover, everyday the MLA of Udupi passes through this road,” said Ramesh Shetty.

The auto union members have given the administration a deadline of 10 days to complete patchwork on the 200 m road from the national highway to Malpe road.

"Bus owners and auto drivers have to spend a good deal on spare parts. Crossing the road has become a time consuming issue for senior citizens, school children, and disabled people," they pointed out.

The 200 m road is full of potholes and has been partially dug up in places, hindering traffic flow and pedestrians during the peak hour. The Malpe–Parkala road was upgraded to national highway and after that no development has been seen here.

This road is a very important link as it connects to tourist places like Malpe beach and St Mary’s Island. It is a bad experience for passengers travelling from Karavali national highway to Malpe road. During the monsoon, the situation is worse and the potholes are full of water. Nearly more than 1, 500 auto drivers work in Udupi town. Therefore, the authorities concerned must find an immediate solution to the road’s plight, the protestors demanded.

Union members Keshav Sherigar, Shivanand Mudbettu, Abdul Hamid Kolambe, and Sadique Shantinagar were present.