Vedike resorts to snap protest demanding flyover at Ambalpady junction on NH 66 instead of vehicular overpass

Members of the Ambalapadi Heddari Balakedarara Vedike staged a snap protest demanding an elevated flyover instead of a vehicular overpass at Ambalpady junction on Kochi-Panvel NH 66 in Udupi on Tuesday.

Members of the Ambalapadi Heddari Balakedarara Vedike staged a snap protest demanding an elevated flyover instead of a vehicular overpass at Ambalpady junction on Kochi-Panvel NH 66 in Udupi on Tuesday.

The protesters alleged that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has commenced the work on Monday, without intimating the public. The project has completely been unscientific and will disturb road users, particularly fishermen, they said.

Vedike president Jaya C. Kotian said the NHAI has commenced the work all of a sudden without taking the road users and the public into confidence. The public have been kept in the dark about the design of the project, he said urging people’s representatives, the Deputy Commissioner, and the NHAI officials to forthwith provide details. In the meantime, the work should be halted till the issue becomes clear, he said.

With the Malpe-Tirthahalli NH 169A widenig work in and around fishing town Malpe limping, fishermen and transporters depend upon roads around Ambalpady. As the vehicular overpass work was bound to affect the fishermen, a flyover should be constructed to ease the difficulties. If the authorities do not heed to public demand, the vedike would intensify the agitation, Mr. Kotian cautioned.

Former president of Mogaveera Yuva Sanghatane Shivarama Kota said at a time when construction technology was advancing, the NHAI was going for vehicular overpass by constructing embankment thereby dividing the town. A flyover should be constructed instead, he said.

Fishermen leaders and general public were present.

Meanwhile, Udupi Deputy Commissioner K. Vidyakumari issued orders diverting vehicular traffic in and around Ambalpady junction on NH 66 till the vehicular overpass work gets completed on Tuesday.