Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Jul 31: “The four-lane road which separates Kote Market from outside contact has no suitable service road. Due to the ignorance of highway authority and contract Execution Company, locals have to suffer. Buses and other vehicles should be allowed to enter Koteshwar market and service roads should be constructed,” urged Koteshwar, Beejadi and Gopadi villagers.
The plight of people was obvious during a meeting held at Koteshwara Sharada Kalyana Mantapa on Saturday, July 30 for not having considered Koteshwara gram seriously during the construction of highway.
Addressing the locals, National Highways engineer Veerendra said that the demands of local people will be conveyed to higher officials.
“The demands are just and we will try to solve them. If the service road construction is in the highway map, it will be constructed. If not it will be included after discussions,” he said.
“We are not able to get information under DPR and RTI about the highway construction. Proper study was not conducted before the road construction. The company has even started collecting toll fee ignoring the welfare of local people,” alleged villagers.
Speaking on the occasion, Kundapur police circle inspector Diwaker said that they will verify the blueprint of highway construction. “The problems caused will be brought to the notice of higher officials. The barricade has been already erected. A police staff will be assigned at Koteshwar underpass. It will not be a parking place for two wheelers but will be used for smooth flow of traffic,” he said.
Zilla panchayat member Srilatha Suresh Shetty speaking on the occasion urged that the problems caused due to highway construction be considered seriously. Gram panchayat vice president Udaya Nayak said, “If the Koteshwara Beejadi contact road is closed, it will affect one of the biggest panchayats. It will cause problems to Koteshwar temple, schools and colleges, business and banking. Therefore the divider should be removed for flow of traffic.”
Kundapur Municipal council vice president Rajesh Kaveri said that 12 wheel-vehicles can pass in Koteshwar underpass but 16 wheel-vehicles cannot. “There should have been two divisions here like Udupi,” he said.
Gopadi Gram panchayat member Suresh Shetty said that several meetings are conducted even for preparing 10-15 lacs projects. “But this major work has been taken up without taking local administration into confidence. This is an unscientific project”, he said.
Locals Raghavendra Beejadi said that as goods lorries are parked beside highway, it causes traffic problems. “Similarly accidents will be reduced if the divider signs are erected at a distance,” he said.
There was united demand that a bus stand be constructed on Koteshwar highway near Koteshwar crematorium. “Traffic should be allowed through Koteshwar market. Divider should be removed, Beejadi road should be connected and service road should be constructed,” said locals.
Koteshwar gram panchayat president Janavi Billava, taluk panchayat member Violet Baretto, Roopa Pai, Kundapur traffic police station's Jayanna, Engineer Raghavendra, Ravindra Dodmane, Gajendra Shetty Gopadi, Gururaj Bhat and others were present.
Shanker Ankadakatte compered the programme. Later Beejadi Cross, Kundapur Koteshwar entrance road and proposed place for bus stand were visited in the presence of officials.