Red 'pot-holed' Tapism on National Highways

The protest for the 'betterment of highways' II Image Source: Internet

Udupi/Mangalore: Five National Highways were blocked on Saturday by protestors to voice their opinion on the bad condition of the roads within the state. The 12-hour blockade on NH 13, 17, 48, 206 and 63 was headed by B.Govindaraj Hegde, Convener of ‘Save National Highway 17’ Committee.The pressure to fill the potholes had been initiated for almost a year now and many attempts to crack the Centre’s indifference have all gone in vain.

Hegde told TMJ, “This is a much needed effort to voice our problems. The blockage was announced weeks earlier. Only five highways have been blocked and all sites followed a very peaceful protest”, when asked if blocking the roads would only result in causing trouble for travelers.

The Committee is a group of representatives from different political parties and organizations that come together for the betterment of the National Highways.The block went on from 6am to 6pm in three districts and buses travelling en route the five highways were requested to reach their destinations strictly before 6am.                               

Hegde went on to say that for many silly reasons protests and Bandhs are called for, but that their cause was genuine. He also termed the attitude of the Central and State Highway department as ‘Red Tapism’.   

Vaarsha Joshi, a frustrated tourist visiting Udupi from Kerala and planned to travel to the Mookambika Temple said, “For people like us it is tragic. Tourist taxis should have been allowed to run. We had to cancel our return tickets for which we had to incur extra cost and also have to stay a day more.” She added saying that blocking is not a solution and that vehicle owners should quit paying Road Tax.

Delegations went twice to discuss the problem with Union Law Minister, Veerappa Moily in Delhi who had promised to reconstruct and widen the Highways and also sanctioned a deal of Rs.11.68 Crores, but no action has been taken. When asked where the problem lies, Hegde said, “V. Moily has always been supportive and has solved the problem from his side. The State and Central National Highway Departments are not in action and do not seem to be bothered. We will have similar such protests later if the situation remains the same.”

The protests as promised by Hegde were peaceful and no reports of agitation by the participants were reported. Ambulances, milk vans, Press vans and marriage parties were let through.                                        

Sub-edited by: Kimberley Tanya Dias