BJP Activists Stage Road Blockade in Madikeri Over Delayed Highway Repair
In a dramatic display of public frustration, BJP activists in Madikeri staged a protest at Chowdlu near Somwarpet, demanding urgent repairs to the dilapidated Somwarpet-Koothi state highway. The protestors resorted to blocking the road and planting plantain seedlings directly into the numerous potholes, symbolizing their discontent with the prolonged neglect of this crucial transport artery.
Allegations of Fund Mismanagement and Government Apathy
The protestors leveled serious allegations against the state government, claiming that despite the sanction of a substantial Rs 20 crore in 2024 for the highway's upgradation, no tangible work has commenced. They highlighted that the government had initially set an 11-month deadline for project completion, yet the repair efforts have not even been launched, leaving the road in a hazardous condition.
BJP activists pointed out the visible irony of construction materials being dumped at various spots along the route, with no subsequent progress. Mahesh Thimmaiah, the district president of the BJP Yuva Morcha, alleged that the delay stems from the state government's failure to pay the contractor, effectively stalling the entire project.
Severe Commuter Hardships and Safety Concerns
The protestors detailed the severe impact of the poor road conditions on daily commuters. They reported that traversing a mere 1-kilometre stretch now takes approximately 20 minutes or more, a significant increase due to the need to navigate around deep potholes. More alarmingly, they claimed that numerous bikers have suffered falls and injuries while attempting to avoid these dangerous craters.
In their critique, the BJP activists accused the Congress-led state government of neglecting development priorities. They asserted that the pothole-ridden road serves as stark evidence of governance failure, questioning the rationale behind initiating road work if financial resources were insufficient to see it through.
Official Response and Future Warnings
Following the protest, Public Works Department Assistant Executive Engineer Kumar visited the site and engaged with the demonstrators. He provided an assurance that the issue would be addressed, specifying that road work is scheduled to resume from February 20.
Consequently, the protest was called off, but not without a stern warning. The activists declared that if the repair work does not commence as promised on February 20, they will escalate their agitation by staging a protest directly in front of the PWD office, keeping the pressure on the authorities to fulfill their commitment.
