Citizens Stage Rasta Roko, Demand Better Roads in CM's Constituency
 
Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (PS)
 
Udupi, Aug 6: The public in large numbers held a rasta roko at Mundkur which falls under the Udupi constituency of the newly-elected chief minister Sadananda Gowda, here on Friday August 5.
 
Mundkur lies on the border of Udupi constituency and the Nanilthar-Sankalakari stretch (proposed Atrady-Bajpe road) near Shree Durga Parameshwari temple and Jarige Katte Kadandale road are in a dilapidated condition.

Asphalting was done 13 years ago, after which not even patchworks were carried out, the protestors alleged, adding that the roads have become unmotorable and pose danger to commuters. The villagers sought the help of vehicle drivers and Mundkur gram panchayat members to organise the rasta roko.
 
The protestors demanded a visit by Udupi tahsildar at the protest venue, and later PWD engineers Rajendra and Sunder arrived and listened to their woes. The officials said that a proposal of Rs 4.5 crore for the development of Nanilthar-Sankalakari road has been sent to the department concerned, and assured that after the end of the rainy season road repair works will be initiated.
 
Not satisfied with the assurance of the engineers, the protestors demanded an immediate patch work on the roads to make them commutable. The engineers agreed and said that work will start from Monday August 8. The protest lasted for an hour.
 
Local bus owners, rickshaw, tempo, car, tourist vehicle owners took part in the rasta roko. Mundkur gram panchayat president Ratna and members Sathyashankar Shetty, Vinaykumar Shetty and retired panchayat secretary Avil D’Souza led the protest. A memorandum was submitted to the Udupi deputy commissioner.