Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SMK/MSP)
Pics - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, May 24: Dakshina Kannada Rashtreeya Heddari Ulisi Horata Samiti will be organizing a series of dharnas, protesting against the delayed widening and re-laying of the stretch of the National Highways 17 and 48 between Suratkal and B C Road, unscientific construction works and the inconvenience caused by the works to the general public.

Dhranas against the incompetence of the National Highways Authority and the contractor company IRCON, will be initiated on Tuesday May 27 in Suratkal, followed by more such protests on May 28 in Baikampady, Thursday May 29 in Kuloor, Friday May 30 at Kottara Chowki and on Saturday May 31 at Kuntikana from 10 am to 12 noon.

Addressing media persons here on Saturday May 24, Dinesh Hegde, president of the Samiti said that the Samiti had submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner (DC) putting forth the grievances of the people, but the DC did not do anything other than forwarding the same to National Highways Authority.  The DC has not given any direction to the contractor to take precautionary measures to avoid any inconvenience to the general public, he said.

The Samiti also demanded that in order to avoid unfortunate incidents at the flyover construction sites, already dug out spots should be refilled before the onset of monsoon,  boundary lines on the road edges should be marked so that other departments like electricity and telephones can replace the cables, construction of storm drains by road sides to avoid artificial flooding, setting up of  helpline centres for the general public during rainy days, to regulate the traffic by deploying highway patrol squads and immediate replacement of the inexperienced project director P N Gavasani with an experienced official.

The Samiti also warned that  it would resort to road blockade, if the DC and executives of the National Highways Authority fail to arrive at the dharna spot to listen to their grievances and address them.