INTUC to stage dharna against NHAI

Opposing the mismanagement of KPT Circle - Surathkal road on National Highway 66 by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), INTUC district committee will stage a dharna on the stretch from January 1.

Addressing reporters here on Tuesday, INTUC District President Mahonar Shetty said that the road has turned out to be a deathtrap and many lives are lost due to road mishaps. The road is in a deplorable condition. Despite this, the NHAI has been a mute spectator. Vehicles are bound to get damaged along with the unnecessary consumption of fuel. The condition of the road is such that ambulances carrying patients cannot ply on it.

He further added that NHAI is busy collecting tolls at three toll gates from B C Road to Padubidri.

The project in-charge has given a false statement saying the makeover of the road would be done before December 15 at a cost of Rs 8 crore, but nothing has been done. Requests by the public to repair the road have fallen on deaf ears.

As a last attempt, INTUC will stage a dharna from morning to evening from January 1. The members of INTUC will sit on the road till initiative is taken to repair the road. If there is no response from the authority, a Public Interest Litigation would be filed in the High Court, he added.

INTUC State General Secretary P K Suresh, District Vice President Steven D'Souza and General Secretary Chittaranjan Bondala were present.