Pics: Wilson D'Souza, Shirva
Daijiworld Media Network – Kaup (TP)
Kaup, Sep 11: The Shirva unit of the Youth Congress Committee staged a protest and roadblock on Thursday, September 11, demanding urgent repair of the dilapidated Panjimaru–Shirva–Pilarukana road.
The protest began near the Nyarma Bridge in Shirva and saw the participation of nearly 300 locals. Protesters expressed strong anger against the local MLA, alleging favoritism in road development. Former Taluk Panchayat member Michael Ramesh D’Souza criticized the MLA, urging him to prioritize public roads instead of constructing roads only to his supporters’ houses.
Kaup Block Congress president Y Sukumar addressed the gathering, stating that even though wet mix patchwork was being carried out in Panjimaru following the protest, the demand was for full-fledged road repair, not temporary patching.
Former Udupi Zilla Panchayat member Wilson Rodrigues also spoke, insisting that the MLA should secure government grants and, if necessary, stage a dharna in the Assembly to ensure the road is repaired.
The agitation intensified as protesters blocked traffic and demanded that a PWD engineer arrive on-site before allowing vehicles to pass. Shirva police inspector Manjunath Marbad intervened, called the PWD AEE to the spot, and managed to bring the situation under control. The district striking force and Shirva police personnel were deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow.
PWD AEE Manjunath, who arrived at the protest site, assured the agitators that Rs 8 cr worth of roadworks were already sanctioned for Udupi district. He promised that roadside drains would be repaired and potholes filled within a week, followed by asphalting of the road in October after government funds are released.
However, protesters remained firm, insisting that road repairs must begin immediately or by the following day.
Shirva Rural Congress president Melwyn D’Souza welcomed the gathering and compered the programme.
Several Congress leaders were present, including Kaup Block Congress president Y Sukumar, District Congress Minority Unit president Sharfuddin Sheikh, Hasanabba Sheikh, Ratan Shetty, Ramesh Banger, Wilson Rodrigues, State Mahila Congress general secretary Geetha Wagle, Gracy Cardoza, Gladys Almeida, Zubair Ali, Hasan Ibrahim, Jainuddin, Asha Anchan, Shirva Rural Youth Congress president Keerthan Poojary, Kaup Constituency Youth Congress president Mohammad Niyaz, Kaup Block Youth Congress president Girish Kotian, Kaup Constituency Youth Congress vice president Abdul Latif, Kaup Constituency Youth Congress general secretary Abdul Ahad, Arun Poojary, and Ajay Poojary.