News & Pics: Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Uppinangady (VA)
Puttur, Mar 21: Demanding immediate repair of the Shiradi Ghat stretch of national high way 48, a ‘fast unto death’ protest has been started under the leadership of Karnataka Janata Party president, Prasanna Kumar at Gundya here on Saturday March 20.
Inaugurating the protest, former MLA K Ram Bhat said that even though the condition of roads has deteriorated completely no measures have been taken by the concerned authorities. He questioned the silence of people in the district and called upon each and everyone irrespective of caste and creed to take part in the protest and support the cause.
“The leaders and the government have been biding time by making repeated false claims that the central government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the repairs of this road, and that tenders have been floated. Although six ministers representing our state are in the union cabinet, none of them are bothered about the wretched state of this highway. Out of the 32 bridges on this 37 kms stretch of the Ghat road, 17 are in precarious condition. Accidents have become common occurrences here since long,” said Prasanna Kumar.
He explained that a few days ago, he had undertaken a symbolic protest to warn the government and the people’s representatives towards this issue. “I am very much concerned with the attitude of former Prime Minister, Deve Gowda, who is fighting against the NICE road between Bangalore to Mysore, instead of taking up the cause of the road in his own constituency”, he said.
“We have decided to go on a hunger strike for two days. If the authorities does not respond positively intense protest will be held”, he warned.