Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (MS)

Bantwal, Sep 13: The SDPI Bantwal legislative constituency committee organized a massive protest at Narayana Guru Circle, B C Road, under the leadership of president Shahul S H, opposing the unscientific work and delays in the national highway project.

In his introductory address, committee secretary Akbal Ali Ponnodi stated, “People are facing immense inconvenience while traveling. Instead of remaining silent and criticizing the government, we must take to the streets and protest."

Anwar Sadat, SDPI president of Dakshina Kannada and chief guest, remarked, “While national highways are being developed across the country, the NHAI is neglecting the highways in Dakshina Kannada. The government, which collects lakhs of rupees in taxes, has failed to provide proper roads.”

Bantwal municipality vice president Munish Ali, also present as a guest, added, “Roadwork must adhere to certain standards. NHAI has failed to construct service roads for the smooth flow of traffic. The BJP government awards contracts based on party affiliation and family connections, rather than on the contractor's past performance. This is disgraceful. When the PM or CM visits, NHAI rushes to repair roads overnight, but nothing is done when ordinary citizens are suffering.”

Protesters blocked the road, demanding that NHAI officials or engineers from KNR Group accept their memorandum. After the engineer from KNR Organization received the appeal, president Shahul S H warned in his concluding remarks, “The service road must be asphalted and traffic flow ensured within 20 days, or we will continue blocking the road until our demands are met.”

SDPI Dakshina Kannada district committee members Ashraf Talapady, Shakeer Alakemajalu, vice president of the constituency committee Mustaq Talapady, Kolnad block president Kalandar Partippadi, Bantwal municipality committee president Sharif Valavoor, Kalladka block president Sattar Kalladka, Sarapady block president Hyder Kavalakatte, Bantwal municipality committee vice president Yousuf Aladka, party activists, women, and the public participated in the protest.