Panchayat to correct dangerous curve at Puthiyapuram in Kozhikode
The Hindu
Local body makes an effort following SHRC rap
After the State Human Rights Commission’s (SHRC) rap for not taking steps to correct the dangerous curve on Puthiyapuram-Kottur road, Naduvannur panchayat has agreed to find a solution to the issue.
In a report submitted to the Commission recently, the panchayat secretary said the local body had requested for funds for rectifying the dangerous junction.
Puthiyapuram-Kottur road opens into the Kuttiady-Kozhikode State highway at Puthiyapuram. The panchayat maintained that the junction could be renovated only after the proposed development of the State highway to Kuttiady is completed. As a temporary measure, a voluntary organisation has put up safety mirrors at the junction for the convenience of motorists entering the State highway from the side road and vice versa.
The SHRC intervened in the matter a year ago after human rights activist Bineesh Athooni pointed out the danger at the curve, saying that five lives had already been lost owing to the unscientific curve and the slope of the road at the junction.
A tree that hindered view at the junction was cut by the Public Works Department following complaints. Mr. Athooni pointed out that the road needed to be lifted to the level of the State highway for at least 200 metres to solve the issue.
The panchayat is depending on contributions from local development funds of the MP and MLA, besides the district panchayat to execute the project. The case will be considered at the SHRC sitting in Kozhikode on August 31.
“We are judges and therefore, cannot act like Mughals of a bygone era ... the writ courts in the guise of doing justice cannot transcend the barriers of law,” the High Court of Karnataka observed while setting aside an order of a single judge, who in 2016 had extended the lease of a public premises allotted to a physically challenged person to 20 years contrary to 12-year period stipulated in the law.
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday declined to interfere, at present, in the investigation against a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, who is among the accused persons facing charges of circulating obscene clips, related to “morphed” images and videos clips related to Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, in public domain through pen drives and other modes.
The 16th edition of Bhoomi Habba was held on June 8, at the Visthar campus. The festival drew a vibrant crowd who came together to celebrate eco-consciousness through a variety of engaging activities, creative workshops, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and performances, all centered around this year’s theme: “Save Water, Save Lives.”