Upset over increased road mishaps and the delay in widening National Highway 169 between Mangaluru and Karkala, residents of Gurupura, Mijar, Moodbidri and other areas will hold a protest on December 4 at Gurupura Kaikamba.
Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Sudhakar Poonja Mijar, president of the newly-formed NH (169) Horata Samiti, said there was inordinate delay in widening the busy stretch between Bikarnakatte (in Mangaluru) and Karkala that became part of the National Highway 169 (Mangaluru – Sholapur) in 2000.
Mr. Mijar, who has been closely following developments on the stretch, said the widening of the stretch was necessary to prevent accidents. As many as 300 trips of private express buses were plying on this stretch everyday, while KSRTC was introducing 28 trips on this route shortly. These buses were in addition to vehicles of educational institutions, including four engineering colleges.
“Accidents are reported everyday on this busy stretch,” he said, while referring to the death of a motorcyclist in Mijar on Saturday. “Today too, there were two accidents that has caused serious injuries to two motorists on this narrow stretch that has deteriorated,” he said. The old bridge across the Gurupura too was in bad shape, he added.
Mr. Mijar said it has taken a long time for State government to complete the acquisition of land for the proposed four lane road between Karkala and Mangaluru.
Following the death of the youth on Saturday, the committee decided to hold a protest meeting.
