Citizens’ Forum in Bhatkal slams delay in NH four-lane project, warns of public protest

Bhatkal: 6 November,25 (Bhatkallys News Bureau)  Frustrated by the prolonged delay in the National Highway four-lane construction in Bhatkal taluk, the Bhatkal Citizens’ Protection Forum (Bhatkal Naagrik Hitarakshana Samithi) convened a meeting of local leaders to address growing public anger over the incomplete project.

During the meeting, members expressed strong dissatisfaction with the work of highway contractor IRB Infrastructure. They alleged that due to the poor condition of unfinished stretches, several serious accidents had occurred in recent days, resulting in three deaths within just 15 days. Participants said these mishaps were not mere accidents but the result of negligence, as motorists trying to avoid potholes often end up colliding with oncoming vehicles.

Forum president Satish Kumar criticised the silence of elected representatives, saying no leader had spoken up about the repeated tragedies. He added that only a united citizens’ movement could bring meaningful change.

Although district authorities had earlier issued a press note stating that construction work would resume in the first week of October, forum members said IRB Infrastructure has shown no progress, questioning the state government’s ability to ensure compliance.

The meeting also highlighted that, under the pretext of NH expansion, electric poles were shifted along the highway, leaving several areas of Bhatkal in darkness. Residents have reportedly been facing power issues for nearly three years.

Responding to RTI applications, the National Highways Authority attributed the delay to pending court cases over private land. However, members countered that only 1.125 km of work was said to be pending, and even that stretch had been cleared, suggesting possible misinformation.

The forum also criticised IRB for collecting tolls despite not completing the project. During a pre-monsoon meeting at the Sub-Divisional Office, IRB had sought permission to formally connect the highway, but members said the company had not completed essential facilities such as drains and service roads. The committee opposed the request, insisting these civic works be completed first.

Though IRB had earlier assured that work would resume after the monsoon, forum members said no visible progress has been made. The meeting ended with a unanimous resolution condemning the inaction and deciding to meet highway officials soon to seek explanations. The forum also warned that if no progress is seen, it would plan public protests in the coming days.

Those who attended the meeting included Majlise Islah wa Tanzeem president Inayathullah Shabandari, forum vice-president Advocate Imran Lanka, Tanzeem general secretary Abdul Raqeeb M.J. Nadvi, municipal councillor Nagaraj Naik, Subodh Achari, Ganapati Naik Jali, auto-rickshaw union president Venkatesh Naik, Muhiddin Ruknuddin, Advocate S.M. Khan, S.M. Parvez, Congress leaders Abdul Majeed Gulmi, Venkatayya Bairumane, Lakshman Kotadamakki, Gonda community leader Narayan Gonda, Marukeri panchayat vice-president M.D. Naik, BJP leader Srikant Naik Asarkeri, Yaseen Askiri, Abdul Muneer, Habeeb Mothisham, Jailani Shabandari, S.M. Naik, Misbahul Haq, and several others.