Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, May 17: Shyamraj Birthi, district chief secretary, Dalita sangarsha samiti at a press meet on Monday May 16 spoke against the construction of an underpass on NH 66 at Kirimanjeshwara village, Kundapur taluk.

Addressing media persons he said that Bharatiya Rashtriya Heddari Pradhikara should give up the construction work of the underpass at Kirimanjeshwara or else the samiti will go on a massive protest. The underpass plan is unscientific and nearly 20 families of the dalit community fear losing their land.

He opined that the underpass will be of no use to the public if constructed. This unscientific plan will lead to many problems such as theft, robbery, eve teasing and road mishaps.

He alleged that the authority is targeting to spoil the life of the dalit community. According to the IRB statement, unless there is a service road the underpass is unscientific.

Shyamraj is pressurizing BRNHT to quit the project. It should consider public convenience instead of creating problems. A divider by the authorities instead of the underpass would be more helpful.

They have submitted a petition to MP B S Yediyurappa, MP Shobha Karandlaje, district in-charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA Gopal Poojary, CM’s secretary on the problem. But the project director of BRHP who has kept silent on the matter is being condemned by the committee.

He added that some established powers are misleading innocent minds and that they are posting fake texts on social media. If they continue to stand firm on their decision, then hundreds of people will take to the street.

He also informed, "If they do not agree to stop the project, the DSS members will hold a mass protest."

Jayan Malpe, Vasudev Muddur, Raju Bettinamane, Vittal Thottam, Uday Nagur, Sundar Kappettu and others were present at the press meet at Kediyoor Hotel, Udupi.