Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Nov 28: "No facilities whatever which match the conditions imposed by National Highways Authority of India are in place on national highway 66. Because of despicable condition of the road, lives are being lost. Still, toll is being collected at three spots within a short gap," said MLA, Mohiuddin Bava, in an angry remark.
He was addressing protesters who had come together at Honnakatte Junction under the leadership of city north youth Congress committee, Girish Alva, on Monday November 27, to express themselves against the bad conditon of highway. The protesters said that the condition of the highway at Honnakatte, Bykampady, Kulur and some other places leave much to be desired.
Bava said that the highway has been built unscientifically, and it takes over an hour to reach the city which is located just 12 km away from Honnakatte. "Even though MP from the region, Nalin Kumar Kateel, uses this road often, he has totally neglected the aspect of maintaining the highway in good condition by conducting periodical repairs," he charged.
Dakshina Kannada district youth Congress president, Mithun Rai, said that his outfit opposes collection of toll for bad roads and demanded for the removal of the tollgate at NITK Suratkal immediately. He said that his party will continue to protest by holding demonstration in front of the tollgate and by refusing to pay toll charges till basic facilities like repairing of the highway, building of the service road etc are completed. State Congress women's wing secretary, Pratibha Kulai, expressed suspicion about the No. 1 MP tag earned by Nalin Kumar Kateel, considering the wretched condition of the highway here.
The protesters blocked the highway and played cricket there. The protest continued till highway officials came there and informed the [rptesters that a sum of eight crore rupees has been released for repair of the road and that contractors will begin repairs before December 15. Highway department engineer, Ajith, gave this assurance. However, a memorandum was presented to him demanding to stop collection of toll charges till repair work is fully completed. Girish Alva warned that protests will be held in front of the tollgate if collection is not stopped.
Leaders like Uttam Alva, Habib, Sohail, Ravi Shriyan, Shakuntala Kamath, Purushotham Chitrapura, Kumar Mendon and several others were present.