Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 25: Lokesh K Padubidri, convener of Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti addressed a press meet here on Friday regarding the road widening project at Padubidri. He revealed that in 2009 the National Highway Authority of India ordered for a four lane road of the Kundapur - Suratkal section, NH-17 which is now NH-66.

He also said after collecting the details from the DC at Udupi the activists came to know that the state government had passed an order for the construction of a bypass road in 2012. This was under pressure from capitalists, hotel owners and entrepreneurs. The road proposed to the east of the existing highway would occupy 20.40 hectares of land and for it to be built, it required the demolition of several houses.

If the bypass road was constructed, nearly 24 dalit families out of 53 would be destroyed along with the agriculture land. However the state government has decided to drop the construction of the bypass plan and has issued a notice to the owners to vacate the place.

Lokesh alleged that there is a huge lobby behind the proposal of the bypass road construction. The capitalists have called for a bandh today in order to oppose the construction of NH-66 for selfish reasons. In addition, the state government is also delaying the land acquisition process for road widening even though they are under strict instructions from the NHAI.

The ongoing project between Surathkal-Kundapur, a stretch of 75 km, has achieved 70 per cent completion. However, the road widening project at Padubidri has halted due to differences in opinion.

The members of Padubidre Horata Samiti and Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti are demanding immediate action to be taken towards the drive on NH-66 construction work soon.

Sundar Masthar, Parameshwar Uppoor, Suresh Padebettu, Vittal Padubidri and others were present.