Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 12: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has promised the Udupi District Legal Services Authority to solve various issues faced at Santhekatte junction on national highway 66 near here within ten days.

Kallianpur-Santhekatte junction on national highway is a nightmarish spot for the people who travel on the highway, vehicle drivers and also the pedestrians who have to cross the road. Local engineer of NHAI, Suresh, and representative of Navayuga Enterprises, which is maintaining the highway, have assured to address 90 percent of the issues faced at this junction within ten days.

A meeting convened on the basis of complaints filed on behalf of thousands of citizens who are suffering on account of the unscientifically designed Santhekatte junction, was presided over by the district and sessions judge, Subrahmanya J N.

Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, chairman of Human Rights Foundation, initially presented the entire gamut of problems faced by the people with the help of slides and video clips. He stressed that the highways should be laid in such a way that they facilitate the local citizens and not create problems due to faulty designs. He also pointed out that the pedestrians are suffering on account of the overbridge at Karavali junction that has already been built.

Assistant commissioner K Raju, who participated in the discussions, recalled that this issue was discussed in different meetings and in each such meeting, the highways authority representatives had doled out promises to address the issue. He pointed out that the assurances are not kept thereafter and the problems persist. He opined that without modifying the design of the highway, the problems at Santhekatte cannot be addressed. "The junction witnesses accidents almost every day. The traffic police too feel helpless to handle the situation," said additional district superintendent of police, Kumar Chandra. He suggested shifting of the bus shelters located at the said junction to more suitable locations.

Dr Vincent Alva, principal of Milagres College Kallianpur, explained about the problems faced by the students at the junction. He said that the parents are hesitating to send their children to educational institutions.

On behalf of the citizens, Joseph G M Rebello, Ivan Mascarenhas, former gram panchayat president Sathish Naik, Auto Rickshaw Union president Shekhar Baikady, Baptist Dias, Harish Kumar, Arun Sanil and Sujith participated in discussions.

At the beginning, member secretary of Udupi District Legal Services Authority and senior judge Sharmila S, welcomed the gathering. Municipal commissioner of Udupi city municipality, Uday Kumar Shetty was present.