Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala

Karkala, Dec 28: Large-scale blasting using explosives to break black rock is reportedly being carried out just a short distance from National Highway 169 along the Beluvai–Chilimbi stretch on the Moodbidri–Karkala border, raising serious safety concerns.

The alternative road work connected to NH-169 was taken up in this area a few months ago. As the work site contains a heavy layer of black rock, blasting operations are being carried out to clear the terrain. The blasting zone reportedly extends up to about 25 metres towards Baradi Cross in Karkala taluk.

Although the work itself has been progressing intermittently, adequate public safety measures are allegedly not being followed. It has also come to light that while the work has already begun, the contractor is still approaching various government departments to obtain mandatory no-objection certificates.

The national highway passes extremely close to the blasting site, and a large number of vehicles ply this stretch regularly. Despite this, contractors executing the new NH-169 road work are allegedly using explosives indiscriminately, without taking sufficient precautionary measures, posing a serious risk to motorists and the general public.

Concerned citizens have demanded that the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district administrations jointly intervene and take immediate corrective action to prevent any untoward incidents.