Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, Jun 23: Demanding the construction of a new bridge to replace the dilapidated, narrow structures posing a severe threat to lives, and urging the handover of the connecting road to the Public Works Department (PWD), a massive protest was staged by the public and the protest committee at Peruvai junction in Vittal on Tuesday, June 22.

Protestors expressed their outrage over the pathetic condition of the Karnataka-Kerala connecting bridge at Peradka, located just 500 meters from the Peruvai junction, and the Peruvai-Manila road bridge, situated 150 meters away. Both decades-old structures are extremely narrow, forcing hundreds of vehicles, school and college students, and the general public to commute in constant fear for their lives.

Over 10 accidents in recent years

The situation worsens during the monsoon when water flows over the Peradka bridge, making traffic movement highly dangerous. Due to the complete absence of retaining walls, a poultry transport vehicle and an Alto car tumbled off the bridge in just the last 10 days. Villagers complained that more than 10 vehicles have met with accidents at this spot in the past few years.

Key demands of the protestors:

• Clear the dangerous curves at the Karnataka-Kerala connecting bridge in Peradka and construct a wide, safe new bridge with an improved design.

• Demolish the old, narrow Peruvai-Manila connecting bridge and reconstruct a modern, wide, and safe bridge in its place.

• Hand over the road starting from Peruvai, passing through Balashetti Moole up to Kanyana, to the PWD for road widening and comprehensive development.

• Immediately widen and develop the remaining narrow stretch of road between Onibagilu and Pakalakunja.

• Install urgent temporary safety measures, including warning boards, reflectors, and strong retaining walls on both bridges until the new structures are built.

• Formulate a clear action plan for all the above works and assure the public of their completion within a stipulated timeframe.

Officials face public wrath Despite submitting multiple memorandums to officials and elected representatives, no action was taken, prompting the frustrated citizens to take to the streets. Recognizing the intensity of the protest, Zilla Panchayat (Bantwal division) engineer Taranath and Mangaluru division engineer Venugopal rushed to the spot, only to be gheraoed and heavily taken to task by the protestors.

Social activist Yatish Peruvai, who spearheaded the protest, lashed out at the authorities for merely dumping a single load of laterite stones following a previously issued deadline. Calling it a "tactic to throw dust in the eyes of the public," he led slogans condemning the department's sheer negligence.

Engineers promise immediate action

Following intense pressure and resistance from the gathering, ZP and Panchayat Raj department engineer Venugopal assured immediate intervention. "Work on necessary safety measures will begin tomorrow itself. Barricades and warning boards will be installed within a week, and the retaining wall work will be completed within 15 days," he promised.

PWD engineer Avinash addressed the crowd, stating that a proposal has already been submitted to the government for the construction of a new bridge and the upgradation of rural roads, based on earlier public appeals. He assured that the new bridge construction would commence as soon as the project receives official sanction.

Social activist Yatish Peruvai delivered the introductory address detailing the purpose and background of the struggle. Gopalakrishna Shetty Senerapalu, M Mahabala Bhat Muruva, Ganesh Bhat Delanthamajalu, and Raghava Master Beripadavu addressed the gathering.

Prominent leaders including Vineeth Shetty Kana, Prabhakar Shetty Kalaythimar, Ashok Shetty Manila, Vishnu Bhat Kannadaguli, Prakashchandra Shetty, Girish Patali, Hemanth Patali, Manoj Acharya, Ganesh Rai, P K Sridhar, Savitha Acharya, and Surya Prabha were present.

Jayaram Alva Badiyaru welcomed the gathering and compered the programme, while Mokshith Peruvai proposed the vote of thanks. Hundreds of villagers, farmers, businessmen, and members of various organizations participated in the protest.