Bhatkal: Raising serious concerns over delays in the ongoing expansion of National Highway-66 and the neglect of essential civic infrastructure, members of the Bhatkal Citizens’ Forum (Bhatkal Taluk Naagrik Hitharakshana Vedike) submitted a memorandum to Tahsildar Nagendra Kolashetti, seeking urgent administrative intervention. The forum called for an immediate meeting with officials of the highway construction company to address the issue.

Forum president Satish Kumar Naik said that during a meeting held a few months ago at the office of the Assistant Commissioner regarding the highway project, specific conditions had been imposed on the contractor, IRB. These included a clear directive that service roads and stormwater drainage systems must be completed prior to, or alongside, the main highway expansion work to prevent inconvenience to the public, particularly during the monsoon.

However, he alleged that the contractor has failed to adhere to these conditions, showing little progress in the construction of service roads and drainage infrastructure. Instead, the company appears to be focusing primarily on the main highway works, a move the forum termed as detrimental to the interests of local residents.

Naik further accused the contractor of intentionally delaying the project and executing the work at an unacceptably slow pace. With the monsoon season approaching, he warned that the absence of a proper drainage system could result in severe waterlogging. Low-lying areas, particularly from Shamsuddin Circle to Noor Masjid, are at risk of flooding, with the possibility of water entering commercial establishments and disrupting normal life.

The forum urged the Tahsildar to immediately convene a meeting with the concerned company officials and direct them to prioritise and expedite the completion of drainage and service road works along with the highway project.

Warning of possible agitation, the forum stated that failure to take prompt action would compel citizens to launch public protests. It appealed to the taluk administration to act swiftly in the larger public interest and avert potential hardship for residents.

Among those present were Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem General Secretary Abdul Raqeeb M.J. Nadvi and M.M. Naik.