Protests Erupt Over Unsafe Conditions on National Highway 66 in Uchila
Udupi: A significant protest took place on Monday along National Highway 66 in Uchila, where local residents expressed their grievances regarding unsafe road conditions attributed to unscientific construction practices. The demonstration was organized by the Uchchila Nagara Horata Samiti, under the leadership of President Siraj Uchchila, who accused the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) of neglecting repeated complaints regarding safety issues.
Key demands presented to the NHAI included:
- Establishment of designated crossing facilities in Uchila town to facilitate safe pedestrian movement.
- Installation of adequate lighting from the Ermailu Diversion to the Al Ihsan School Diversion to improve road visibility.
- Provision of high-mast lighting in Uchila town to enhance overall safety.
- Creation of zebra crossings on the highway to safeguard pedestrian crossings.
- Development of comprehensive crossing facilities, such as pedestrian bridges or underpasses, to further prevent accidents.
- Addition of speed breakers on the service road divider to deter speeding vehicles.
The protesters made it clear that failure to meet these demands would lead to heightened agitation in the future. Authorities present at the scene included Kaup Tahsildar Prathiba R. and Padubidri Police Station Inspector Prasanna Bandobast, who worked to ease tensions.
Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivasa Poojary and Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, who were traversing the same route, were momentarily halted by the protesters. They received a memorandum requesting intervention in expediting the necessary improvements.
In response to the civil unrest, NHAI Project Director Javed visited the protest site, assuring attendees that their concerns would soon be addressed and that a meeting would be arranged to discuss the situation further.
Following the commitment from authorities, Kaup Tahsildar Prathiba R. offered reassurance by indicating that a meeting chaired by the Udupi District Commissioner would take place shortly to deliberate on the issues at hand.
Consequently, the protesters agreed to conclude their agitation, albeit with a warning that they would escalate their efforts should their demands remain unmet.