Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jul 24: Shops and business establishments at Padubidri here downed their shutters on Friday July 24 in protest against the state government's decision to widen the national highway, which would result in the demolition of several structures.

After lot of dilly-dallying, the government has finally arrived at a decision to widen national highway 66 at its present location that passes through Padubidri town. The proposal to build a bypass that was in limbo for a long time, has been dropped. The government has already served 3A notice, duly announcing its decision to widen the present highway that plows through Padubidri town.

Opposing the decision of the government, which will result in demolition of a number of houses, shops, and business establishments in the town, Committee of National Highway Probable Distressed Persons decided to observe Padubidri bandh from 6 am to 6 pm on July 24.

The committee has alleged that the bypass road which had been earlier proposed by it and cleared by the government in the past had been done away with because of political considerations. It feels that because of this decision, a number of commercial complexes, community halls, and centres of worship will get demolished.

The committee has urged the government or revert to the earlier plan of building bypass road to the east of the town at the area already identified.

On Friday, most of the shops and hotels were closed in support of the bandh. However, the auto rickshaw drivers did not join in, and were seen plying on the road. The bandh mainly affected the central part of the town while most other parts were normal.

A protest march was also held, led by the committee, urging the government to withdraw the 3A notice. The protestors later submitted a memorandum to the tahsildar in this regard.