Udupi: “The proposed underpass construction in Karvali Junction will disrupt daily life,” said Bannaje Babu Amin. He was speaking at a protest organised against the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for proposing an underpass construction instead of a flyover at Karavali Junction. The protest was organised near Karvali Junction here, on October 28.
The existing two lane NH 17 has been widened into a 4 lane road near Karavali Junction. The NHAI, instead of constructing a flyover, is constructing an underpass which will ruin the business, social and cultural perspectives. The fishing activities which are at peak in Malpe with the construction of an underpass will cause hurdles to heavy vehicles commuting from Udupi to Malpe. The underpass will divide the junction into two parts which will be major problem for pedestrians. The underpass will have an economic and social impact on the people, he said.
“We will approach the people’s representatives and concerned authorities to set the issue right. The NHAI officials have kept all of us in the dark by not disclosing why they want to construct an underpass instead of a flyover. The NHAI has to come up with an answer on the construction of an underpass at the Karavali Junction, otherwise the authorities may have to face severe protests,” he added.
Shantram Aithal, former NHAI official, said that the deficiency-free survey conducted earlier has clearly indicated greater feasibility for construction of a flyover than an underpass. “The present flyovers built in Dakshina Kannada have major design issues. If these design issues are set right while constructing a flyover at Karvali Junction, it will be an efficient solution. Building an underpass will create traffic hurdles,” he added.
Harish Kini, Ashok Kodvoor, Ramesh Kanchan, Kishan Hegde Kolkaibailu, Hermis Noronha, Ganesh Kanchan, B.K Somanath and others were present.
