Members of the Tulunada Rakshana Vedike in Mangalore on Thursday protested demanding a road under bridge (RuB) at Mahakalipadpu railway level-crossing on the busy road that connects Jeppu Market with the National Highway 66. This road is used by many vehicles that approach NH 66.
This is the second time the vedike is protesting demanding an RuB at Mahakalipadu. The vedike on Thursday demanded an underground drainage system in the area.
Vedike president Yogish Shetty said that motorists and residents had been facing a problem because of the frequent closure of the railway gate.
Four hours were spent by motorists crossing the gate that closes almost 50 times a day.
Criss-cross movement of vehicles soon after the gate opened resulted in traffic jams that delayed movement of vehicles, more so during the peak morning and evening hours, he said.
Absence of an underground-drainage system had resulted in water-logging on the road, which had caused many potholes on this 1.5-km-long stretch.
“We are raising this issue on your behalf. Please bear with the inconvenience that has been caused to you for 15 minutes today,” he said addressing the motorists on the spot.
But Mr. Shetty’s plea fell on deaf ears as the motorists continued to honk their horns in the hope of dispersing the protesting crowd.
The protesters had blocked the movement of the traffic after having walked about 200 metres away from the railway gate. They had blocked the traffic just as the railway gate opened and vehicles started moving. The police had to force protesters to leave the spot and they had to make their speeches in a corner at the Morgan’s Gate Circle.
Meanwhile, Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner (MCC) Harish Kumar K. told The Hindu that the corporation would have to bear the estimated cost of Rs. 15 crore for Mahakalipadpu RuB.
In addition, it would have to bear the cost of constructing another RuB at Jeppu Kudpady. The corporation was yet to take a decision on how the projects would be funded.
