Shirali Gram Panchayath demands 45m widening of NH 66; express dissent over approved 30m widening

Bhatkal 18 September 2018: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) An emergency meeting was called at Shirali Gram Panchayat on Monday to discuss the widening of National Highway at Shirali of Bhatkal Taluka. Shirali Gram Panchayath President Venkatesh Naik pressed strongly with their demand of widening the NH 66 for 45 meters and threatened of launching protest if the widening is limited to only 30 meters as per the current plan. National Highway Authority of India's official Naveen Kumar during the meeting explained the blue prints of National highway widening plan in Shirali and said “In the 30m of National Highway, 7.5m is allotted to the road, 3.5m way for local vehicles, 1.5m for footpath, and 2.5m for drainage, on each side of the road”. Responding to a question about 30m road construction, he said that it has been allotted by the state government and any modification/alteration can only come from the government urging the Panchayath members to approach the government with their demands. People in the meeting were irked at the absence of Assistant Commissioner and Tahsildar of Bhatkal. However, President Venkatesh Naik informed the people that both of them had to go to Karwar as per the orders of the district administration. Members of Shirali gram panchayat, officials of National highway authority, public and others were present during the meeting. (Bhatkallys News Bureau)