Members of the Save National Highway 66 Committee and other like-minded organisations blocked the highway for some time demanding a flyover instead of a ramp in Udupi on Thursday. A ‘bandh’ was observed in Brahmavar town on a call given by the committee.
Addressing the protestors, convener of the committee B. Govindaraj Hegde said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had provided a ramp in Brahmavar instead of building a flyover. The ramp has divided Brahmavar into two parts and it is difficult for people from one part to go to another. Demanding the under-construction ramp in Brahmavar to be dismantled, he said the committee had submitted memorandums to Oscar Fernandes, Minster for Road Transport and Highways, state government. The committee has been drawing the attention of the NHAI for the last two years.
Response
He said after the committee gave a call for the ‘bandh’, Deputy Commissioner M.T. Reju invited the members of the committee and sought 15 days to sort out the issue.
If the government failed to meet the demands of the Committee, it would launch a massive agitation, Mr. Hegde said.
K. Raghupati Bhat, former MLA, said a flyover was required not just in Brahmavar but also at the Karavali Junction in Udupi. A flyover could be build at a cost of Rs. 25 crore, he said. Members of the committee later went in a procession and submitted a memorandum at the office of Special Tahsildar’s Office. The office bearers of various local organisations were present.
