Highway Work at Standstill in Bhatkal as Three Lives Lost in 15 Days

Bhatkal – The Bhatkal Taluk Citizens’ Welfare Committee held an urgent meeting of local leaders to address the alarming situation on the national highway, where construction work has come to a complete halt.

Public anger reached a boiling point at the meeting as residents expressed strong objections against the IRB contractor company. In just 15 days, three precious lives have been lost in highway accidents. Citizens say these deaths were not accidents but the result of deliberate negligence by the IRB company.

The incomplete highway has become a death trap. Due to poor maintenance, vehicles trying to avoid potholes end up colliding with oncoming traffic. “This is not just an accident. It is a public murder committed by the IRB company,” said angry residents at the meeting.

Committee President Satish Kumar noted that no elected representatives have raised their voice about these deaths. “The public is losing hope in fighting. Only when citizens stand united can we face such tragedies,” he said.

District officials issued a press release stating that highway work would restart in the first week of October. But the contractor company has completely ignored this statement, showing that even the state government has no control over the project.

Three years ago, electricity poles along the highway were moved for the road expansion. Since then, the entire town has been plunged into darkness. “Bhatkal city has been struggling in the dark for three years,” residents complained.

When citizens filed Right to Information requests, the National Highway Department claimed some private properties are stuck in court, causing delays. However, they refuse to specify which properties, making it seem like they are fooling the government.

According to official information, only 1.125 km of road work remains. But this stretch has already been cleared, and there are no pending issues. Why is the department giving false information to mislead the public?

The IRB company started collecting highway tolls even before completing the work, ignoring public suffering. At a meeting called by the Sub-Divisional Officer on the District Commissioner’s orders before the monsoon, the IRB company requested permission to patch the highway. However, they refused to address the essential drainage system and service roads needed by residents.

The Citizens’ Welfare Committee strongly opposed this one-sided demand. “First provide basic facilities to the public, then complete your work. Every disaster caused by your delays is the company’s responsibility,” the committee warned.

The company was specifically cautioned to ensure that villages along the highway do not face flooding during monsoon. Company officials promised to restart and complete the work after the rains ended. But even after the monsoon, they have shown no urgency. The meeting unanimously condemned this attitude.

The committee decided to contact highway department planning officers within the next two to three days to find out the exact reasons for the work stoppage. Based on this information, another meeting will be held to decide future actions. If necessary, a public protest will be organized.

The meeting was attended by Tanzeem President Inayatullah Shabandri, Citizens’ Welfare Committee Vice President Imran Lankha, Tanzeem Secretary Mohammed Raqeeb, Advocates S.M. Khan and S.M. Parvez, Municipal Members Nagaraj Naik, Subodh Acharya, and Ganapati Naik Jali, Rickshaw Drivers’ Association President Venkatesh Naik, Congress leaders Abdul Majeed Gulmi, Venkataiya Byrumane, and Lakshman Kotadamakki, Gowda community leader Narayan Gowda, Marukeri Panchayat Vice President Endinaik, Ganapati Jali, BJP leader Srikanth Naik Asarkeri, Abdul Munir, Habeeb Moteshyam, Highway Struggle Committee leader Jailani Shabandri, S.M. Naik, Panchayat Member Misbaul, and others.