By Nov 7, highways will be motorable

TNN

Mangalore, 28 October 2010: A protest on Wednesday by Dakshina Kannada Zilla Karmika Parishat Bus Naukarara Sangha, Dakshina Kannada Bus Owners Association, Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators Association, and a section of the All College Students Union and Auto Rickshaw Union, seeking immediate repairs of NH17, NH48 and NH31 met with desired response from officials. The officials concerned assured the protesters that all the three NH roads will be made motorable within November 7.

 

The protesters’ plan to block private traffic failed to materialize after police intervened, but the traffic on NH 17 was comparatively thin than usual. Almost 300 buses, city, service and inter-state, plying on NH 17 were off the roads on Wednesday, in support of the demand. KSRTC buses to Kasargod also did not ply from 9 am to 12 noon, said KSRTC traffic officer as they were blocked by protesters.

 

Naukarara Sangha president Ivan D’Souza said that the programme to gherao the NH offices were deferred as the officials met them. He warned that if the roads were not brought to good condition within a week, there will be a call for district bandh. D’Souza also said that he will file cases in the court against NH officials on behalf of the victims of accidents in case they fail to meet the deadline.

 

 

On account of the protest, most of the professional colleges in Derlakatte and Konaje had thin attendance with no private and college buses plying.

 

The protest rally started with a formal inauguration by Mangalore MLA U T Khader at Nanthoor at 9 am. and Bus Owners Association president Rajavarma Ballal, Mangalore Bar Association president SP Chengappa, DK Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president Annayya Kulal, Tulunadurakshana Vedike members, priests from Mangalore diocese, NSUI office bearers, City Corporation members and others took part in the rally.