Associations stage protest demanding NH-17 repair

The stretch of 100 kilometres of NH 17, from Mangalore to Kundapur is in deplorable condition following which driving on this road has become a nightmare to drivers of passenger buses, heavy vehicles, light vehicles as well as two wheeler riders.

The protestors took out jatha for five kilometres and concluded at Padubidri bus stand and held road block for nearly one hour.  National Highways Assistant Executive Engineer Umesh Kamath visited the spot. However, protestors did not submit a memorandum to him. They urged the representative of district administration to visit the spot to receive the memorandum. Later, Tahsildar Uday Kumar visited the spot and received the memorandum.
The copies of the same were also sent to Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily and Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes.  Speaking on the occasion, Salian said NH 17 between Surathkal and Baindur is the lifeline of the coastal district. Every monsoon, the road turns miserable and becomes unmotorable. National Highways was maintaining the road for the past few years. But, the department has maintained the road, citing the reason that the road is being four-laned between Surathkal and Kundapur. The stretch of the highway here has been a witness to several ghastly accidents, resulting in the death of innocent people. If the authorities fail to repair the road within 15 days, the protest will be intensified, he warned.  The traffic on NH 17 between Padubidri and Hejamady was blocked for some time  due to the protest.  Taluk Panchayat member Parvati G Bangera, Padubidri Billava Sangha President Sudhir Kumar, Hejamady Gram Panchayat President Subash Salian, Palimar Gram Panchayat President Karunakar Shetty, Sri Rama Sene district convener Rajesh Yermal and others took part in the march.