Bhatkal: Following protests in Kaikini Basti against the National Highway (NH) expansion project demanding an underpass, similar demonstrations have erupted in Mood Bhatkal. Local residents have warned that they will not allow highway construction work to resume unless their long-pending demand for an underpass is met.
Protest Halts Construction Work
When contractor IRB Infrastructure Development Ltd. attempted to restart unfinished highway work in Mood Bhatkal, residents gathered in large numbers, blocking the machinery from proceeding. Protesters demanded that officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) visit the site to address their grievances. As tensions rose, police intervened to maintain order. Protesters expressed frustration, accusing IRB of consistently ignoring public demands and failing to resolve critical issues.
Residents' Concerns
Mood Bhatkal Circle is a busy area with significant pedestrian and vehicular movement, where thousands of people cross the highway daily. Residents have been demanding an underpass for years, citing safety concerns and flooding caused by inadequate drainage along the highway. They criticized the contractor for prioritizing other tasks while neglecting these vital issues.
Political Criticism
Former MLA Sunil Naik had earlier appealed to the public to avoid protests, assuring them that MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri had discussed the issue with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who had promised a resolution. However, protesters dismissed these assurances, insisting on written commitments from officials and elected representatives to begin underpass construction within a fixed timeline.
Local Leaders Join Protest
Prominent local leaders, including former Muttali Gram Panchayat President Venkatesh Mastappa Naik, Shishu Naik, Jatappa Naik, and Srinivas Naik, supported the protest, bolstering the community's resolve.
Assistant Commissioner's Intervention
In response to the protests in Kaikini Basti and Mood Bhatkal, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Dr. Naina convened two separate meetings at her office. The first meeting, held in the morning, involved leaders from Kaikini, while the evening meeting included representatives from Mood Bhatkal and the National Highway Horata Samiti.
Dr. Naina stated that a written assurance had been received from NHAI, promising to construct an underpass using Operation and Maintenance (O&M) funds. However, local leaders clarified that highway construction would not be allowed to proceed until work on the underpass began within a specified timeline.
Future Steps
The National Highway Horata Samiti proposed organizing a meeting involving the Deputy Commissioner, NHAI officials, and IRB representatives in Bhatkal to comprehensively address local concerns. They also requested the inclusion of leaders from both Kaikini and Mood Bhatkal in this meeting.
Dr. Naina assured protesters that such a meeting would be convened within a week to resolve the issue and ensure further progress on the highway expansion project.
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