Newskarnataka-Bantwal
Bantwal : The Brahmarakootlu Janapara Horata Samithi staged a protest on the NH at Brahamarakootlu on November 13, Wednesday demanding basic amenities like bus shelter, under pass and service roads on either side of the National Highway in the area.
The protestors also warned that they would not allow the NH Department to collect toll unless their demands were fulfilled.
Though an NHAI officer met the agitators and assured steps to fulfill their demands, that did not satisfy the protestors who were adamant that the senior officials of the department met them.
Finally, Sriram Mishra, Project Director of NHAI arrived at around 11.30 am and tried to convince the agitators that their demands would be fulfilled. He assured that the technical works regarding the under pass and service road are underway and the works would begin in March and completed by June end.
To the demand of the agitators that they will not allow toll collection, the NHAI Project director said that was not possible as the government has already directed to commence toll plaza at the earliest. This led to a heated exchange of words and there was tension in the air.
Though Bantwal Circle Inspector Rajashekhar Mistri and Inspector Kabbal Raj intervened and tried to cool down the situation that did not yield any result.
Even though Sriram Mishra assured to hold discussions with officials at 5 pm and then give a written assurance that the works will begin in March and end by June, the agitators were unrelenting and said they will continue their protest till 5 pm.
Roopesh Jyothigudde, President of the Action Committee, Purusha Salian, G Ananda, Govinda Prabhu, Naveenchandra, Bharath Kumgelu, Charan, Prakash Tumbay, Madhava Malavoor and others participated in the protest.