Pics: Justin D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Sep 19: Congress workers and locals on Sunday September 19 staged a protest against the completely damaged National Highway road near Baburaya circle of Parkala. They also stopped movement of vehicles on the highway over not releasing compensation for those who have given land for road widening.

The protesters planted plantain saplings in the potholes as a mark of protest.

Speaking on the occasion, Ramesh Kanchan, president of Udupi block Congress said, “Compensation should be released immediately to those who have given their land for road work. The work of new road should be completed as soon as possible.

"People of this locality are facing issues for the past two years due to incomplete work. Last time when we protested, MLA Raghupati Bhat assured of giving compensation to those who have lost the land. So the same should be done soon," he said.

Congress leader Amrith Shenoy said, "The government has amassed crore of rupees through increase in fuel prices. But the roads are still in a very bad condition. Land acquisition was done on the assurance of providing compensation within 30 days. However, it is more than seven months and the people who lost their land have not yet got any money. This is just a symbolic protest in order to alert MLA Raghupati Bhat. If the road is not repaired within 15 days, we will gather thousands of people and stop vehicle movement on highway and ask the government to react."

Sukesh Kundar Herga, Mohandas Nayak Parkala, Ganesh Raj Saralebettu, Ganesh Nergi, Sudhakar Poojary, Sadananda Poojary and Sathish Shetty Kela Parkala were present.