Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (EP)

Puttur, Sep 22: Malenadu Janahita Rakshana Vedike has decided to go on protests at Gundya Junction condemning the inaction of the administration which has closed Shiradi Ghat highway, adversely affecting financial, social and education sectors of the Dakshina Kannada district.

“Concrete road from Gundya to Heggadde has collapsed at twelve places. Mud from the road has caved in at several places. Warning signs are erected joining sand bags covering them with tarpaulins in those places. There is no other work conducted in such places as of now,” they said.

“As heavy vehicles are not allowed on the road, lorry drivers, owners, traders and labourers are put to severe hardship. People are losing patience,” they added.

“Light vehicles ply one way in places where road has caved in. Nine accidents have occurred on Wednesday on the road. The problems are acute at Doddatappalu and Donigal. The work of removing mud that has fallen on the road is also not done,” they complained.

“The highway has remained closed for the last nine months. It was closed for laying second stage of concrete from January 19. Light vehicles were allowed later from June 15. As it rained and there were landslides in several places during the period, traffic was banned. In other words light vehicles were allowed to ply only for ten days,” they informed.

“Lorry owners, drivers and traders in Gundya, Nelyadi and Maranahalli have incurred huge losses without business. Students of schools and colleges are unable to go to school.

Those who bought vehicles on loan have sold the vehicles as they were unable to pay installments. There is nobody who responds to the grievances,” said a mechanic.