Various organisations, on Monday, began an indefinite protest demanding repair of the Hassan–Chiknayakanahalli Road at B.Katihalli near here.
Schoolchildren and residents of surrounding villages also took part. Former Chairman of Hassan Urban Development Authority B.K. Manjunath said the protest was being held to draw the government’s attention towards the necessity of improving the road.
Leaders from different parties, keeping aside their political affiliation, took part in the protest. Hassan Advocates’ Association president Chandrashekhar said the advocates had planned to file a public interest litigation to get the work done.
“But we decided against the move as the government might take that as an excuse to delay the work further,” he said. Members of the Raitha Sangha also staged a dharna at Dudda. A few hours into the protest, officers of Karnataka State Road Development Corporation Ltd. visited the spot and assured the protesters of restarting the work on Tuesday.
K.S. Krishna Reddy, Managing Director of KRDCL, said the work was delayed because the project promoter had moved court after stalling the work. “The government has solved all problems related to continuing the work. We have constituted a committee to review the quality of work regularly. The contractor has been asked to complete the work within a year,” he said. Mr. Reddy appealed to the protesters to withdraw their protest and cooperate with the organisation.
Deputy Commissioner V. Anbukkumar said the district administration would extend all necessary support to the construction company to complete the work within deadline.
