Taking serious exception to the delay in starting the work on upgrading the road connecting Sakleshpur with Jannapura, members of the Hanubalu Hobli Planters’ Association have decided to stage a protest by closing all business establishments at Hanubal, the hobli headquarters in Sakleshpur taluk, on January 24.
The 24-km. stretch of the State highway 107 is full of potholes posing problems for travellers.
A.K. Sachidev, president of the association, said at a press conference here on Monday that Minister for Public Works H.C. Mahadevappa launched the work on December 4. But, the work had not yet begun.
“Movement of vehicles on the stretch has increased after the closure of the Shiradi Ghat stretch of the National Highway 75. A large number of vehicles take this route to reach Mudigere on their way to Mangaluru. As the existing road is narrow, the vehicle drivers are often seen engaged in argument with other travellers. Minor accidents keep happening each day,” he said.
Residents of Hanubal hobli would join the protest on January 24 by closing all business establishments.
An indefinite agitation would also be launched on the day.
“People from different villages will take part in the protest, which will go on till the work starts,” he said.
