Udupi;Sep 19: The ‘Brahmavar bandh’organized by ‘Save highway 66 committee’(Heddari 66 Ulisi) on September 19,Thursday demanding the construction of flyover instead of cattle pass and to protest against the problems faced by the widening work on the highway has reported to be total and very successful with the participation of hundreds of people,shopowners,autodrivers and colleges.
Barring emergency services and supply of essential commodities, all shops and offices remained closed and the highway was blocked at four different places in the gram panchayat jurisdiction.
All the people including panchayat members and political leaders, who were present in the protest, raised their voice against the construction of cattle pass and demanding flyover in the place . The protest was held at Brahmavar main bus stand. Even local associations, Sanghatanas, Sanghas and college students have extended their support for the total success of the bandh and participated in the protest held at places like Chantaru, Haradi, Handadi and Varamballi.
Besides Brahmavar Auto Rickshaw Union, Tourist Taxi Union Brahmavar and Barkur, Tempo Union Brahmavar, Small Shops Owners’ Union, Building Construction Employees’ Union many more unions supported the bandh. SMS College student union also participated in the protest by organizing a rally from SMS College to Brahmavar bus stand.
Though national highway authorities have proposed the construction of a cattle pass at Brahmavar national highway, it will not only divide Brahmavar but also have an adverse impact on the progress of Brahmavar town, opined protestors.
Addressing the protestors,Govindraj Hegde,convener of ‘Save highway 66 committee ‘said that earlier we had organized a strike demanding the conversion of national highway from single to four lanes but today unfortunately we have been constrained to call for Brahmavar bandh to protest against the construction of cattle pass which will divide the town and impede the developmental works.
He further added that national highway authorities ignoring to construct the flyover, in spite of knowing the fact that Brahmavar is a fast growing town and probably it might become one of the taluks in the near future.
Continuing his speech, he also said that ‘The national authority says that they have not been informed about the demand for flyover earlier but I got all the evidences of letters written to all concerned departments on behalf of general public in 2011 besides I also met the deputy commissioner on September 18,Wednesday to discuss the issue. The DC requested to call of the strike and give 15 days’ time to resolve the issue. In the next two days, a detailed report will be sent to the DC, MP Oscar Fernandez, who is also the transport minister, the PWD and the state government about the need for flyover in Brahmavar and problem created by the cattle pass,” he said.
He further alleged that if political leaders cannot help the citizens of Brahmavar by getting the flyover constructed, they should at least not support for the division of the town with the construction of cattle pass.
He also added that we will 15 days ultimatum to construct flyover to NHA,failing which we will stage a massive and fierce protest,he warned.
Raghupati Bhat,former MLA said in his address that “When I had seen the highway plan before the commencement of work,five flyovers were proposed between Mangalore and Kundapur but to our utter dismay now the Brahmavar flyover was missing from the list even though it was mentioned in the original plan.
Tight police security was deployed under the guidance of DySP Prabhudev Mane, circle inspector Prabhu D T, Brahmavar SI, Udupi traffic SI Amanulla and other police officials.
The committee along with Raghupati Bhat submitted a memorandum to the tahsildar after a rally.
