Ramesh Pandith

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Nov 18: Railway officials accompanied with railway police have closed Padil to Vijayanagara road on Friday, November 18 here citing that the road is constructed on railway land.

This is the only approach road to Vijayanagara for residents of nearly 200 houses in the vicinity built under Ashraya scheme during the era of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The road work on railway land was completed with the personal intervention and initiative of former union minister Janardhan Poojary when he was the minister.

However the road was closed when Padil to Bajal railway Under-pass Bridge was constructed. After some deliberations, former Corporator Sesamma came forward to reconstruct the road a week ago. But railway police rushed to the scene and attempted to arrest Sesamma to prevent the work. Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo and Congress chief whip in the State Legislative council MLC Ivan D' Souza, who were also present, diluted the situation and prevented the arrest.

The residents of Vijayanagara and the area held protests on the road today morning with regard to the incidents. Kankanady station police who arrived at the venue asked the people to refrain from protests today as Karnataka state home minister Dr G Parameshwar is due to arrive in the city.

Railway officials accompanied with railway police blocked the road with beams at around noon. Now the local residents have no other approach road. They will have to walk on railway tracks to go across risking their lives.

The railway officials have asked the protesters to speak to the Deputy Commissioner if they have any grievances. The protesters however have threatened to complain to the Home Minister when he arrives today.