Delay in road development work: Villagers stage protest

Villagers of Kakkabbe staged a protest by blocking the Kunjila Parambu Bane-Payyanari Dargah Road and urged authorities to accelerate the road development works. The road is meant to provide connectivity to Kakkabbe town.

Raising slogans against the indifferent attitude of the authorities and the contractors, the villagers maintained that the protest would not be withdrawn until the contractors visit the spot.

Kakkabbe Gram Panchayat former president Y K Hamsa said that work on the road widening had commenced 20 months ago.

“Out of the 2.5-km-long-road, work has been completed only on half a kilometre. The work has been stagnant from the past eight months. Vehicle users and pedestrians are finding it difficult to use the pothole-ridden road. The protests will continue if the work is not taken up immediately,” he added.

Madikeri Taluk Budakattu Krishikara Sangha president Kudiyara Muttappa said that the elected representatives who are not responding to the problems of the people will be taught a befitting lesson in the next elections.

Gram Panchayat member Kaliyanda Sampan Ayyappa and Payyanari Jamaat former president M A Nasir also spoke on the occasion and urged authorities to repair the road.

Requesting the protesters to withdraw the protests, PSI I R Kiran and Kunjila-Kakkabbe Gram Panchayat PDO Ashok said that the contractor was contacted over phone and he has informed that the work will resume shortly.

Responding to the request, the protesters said that if the work is not taken up before February 14, the roadblock will be observed from 6 am to 6 pm on February 15.

Later, the villagers submitted a memorandum to the government.

Gram Panchayat member K A Razak, Ashraf V H, Ashraf K M, K A Majid, K M Ilias, Adapole Muhammed Hazi, Payyadi Moosa, Bachamanda Lava Chinnappa, Vayakol Usman, K A Ibrahi and others were present.