Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Feb 9: A protest meet was held at Uchila here on February 9 under the leadership of rickshaw owners and drivers along with the locals to urge the district administration and the highway authority for diversion of NH-66 in Uchila, construction of Uchila, Mulooru and Ermal service road and to provide a crossing.

Belapu gram panchayat president Dr Deviprasad Shetty addressing the protesters said that Uchila is the main approach road for people travelling to several places. "There is an increase in the number of people crossing the road in this area. The indifference of the department concerned despite urging for diversion repeatedly is condemnable," he said.

"The work from Kundapur to Talapady on NH 66 is incomplete and there is chaos. Collection of toll charges amid this mess is condemnable. If the people concerned continue with their arrogant and indifferent attitude, protests will be held by driving from Hejamady to Udupi in the opposite direction on the wrong side," he warned.

"Contrary to agreement, highway contractors have not planted trees, constructed drains, service road nor marked proper crossings. We are protesting across party lines to demand these amenities. Several requests have been made to the department officials and elected representatives but there is no response. If it continues, we will call for a bandh together with groups and associations," warned Kaup BJP president Prakash Padebettu.

"Protests for and against have been held ever since four-laning of NH66 road began. While traders protest to save their buildings, people are protesting to save their houses and agricultural land. The general public is facing several problems due to them. The problems are occurring as the department has not prepared a master plan," alleged Kaup block Congress president Navinchandra J Shetty.

Udupi Zilla panchayat member Shilpa G Suvarna, taluk panchayat member C Shekhabba, former taluk panchayat member Sharada Poojary, Bada gram panchayat president Nagarathna, Elooru gram panchayat president Vasanti Madhwaraj, Jaya Karnataka president Harish Shetty Polya, Ermalu Jamia Masjid president Ibrahim, Uchila Mahalaxmi English medium school conevener Sharath Guddekoppa, Saraswati Mandir high school convener Gangadhar Suvarna, Karnataka Fisheries Federation director Deepak Kumar Ermal, Ellooru gram panchayat former president Yashwanth Shetty, Bada gram panchayat former president Chandrashekar Kotian, Puttamma Sriyan, leaders Venugopal, Uday Kumar, Shekar Putran, Neeran Hussain, leaders of different groups and associations and people were present.

A proposal by N H Sirajuddin, president of Uchila rickshaw drivers and owner’s association was presented in the meeting. Yellur gram panchayat member Sathish Shetty Kunjoor welcomed the gathering and compered the programme.

Decision to break the divider

The demand for a diversion on NH-66 is pending from several years but the officials have not taken action on it. The highway authority and the district administration have been given a deadline of 15 days after which the protests would be intensified. A decision was taken to break the divider if the issues were not resolved by then.