Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 3: A huge protest was organized by the local citizens on Sunday November 2, against the plans of the National Highway Authroity to build a by pass road by acquiring lands belonging to the famous Bappanadu Durga Parameshwari Temple, which also envisages destruction of the street through which the temple chariot passes.

The protestors came in a procession from Bappanadu temple and held a protest meeting at Mulki bus stand. They demanded for the shelving of the by pass road project and instead, opt for a fly over or widening of the national way itself, in its place.

The protestors said, that the stretch of the national highway in Mulki can be developed by using 5.9 acres of the government land, whereas the by pass road will require acquisition of 36 acres of fertile agricultural land and residential locality. The street through which the temple chariot is taken too comes within the plan now envisaged. Apart from inflicting huge losses, the by pass plan affects the religious sentiments of the people, they said.

Jagadish Adhikari, Satish Bhat Haleangady, Ramachandra Nayak Kolnaduguthu, Eshwar Kateel etc., participated in the protest.