Karwar: Residents of Amadalli, Todur, Chendiya and Araga blocked the National Highway at Baitakhol near London bridge on Friday for more than one hour, demanding a bypass from Amadalli to INS Patanjali hospital at Araga.

They demanded that a bypass should be constructed instead of widening the NH-66 from Amadalli to Araga Patanjali hospital.

Protesters submitted a memorandum to Assistant Commissioner Shivanand Karale demanding the same.

According to sources, Amadalli, Todur, Chendiya and Araga villagers would be most affected in the existing highway widening works. It is said that more than 200 families would be displaced.

Earlier Karwar MLA Satish Sail, who led the villagers flagged off the Karwar chalo padayatra at Chendiya. Government school children also accompanied the elders on the walk from Nirakara temple of Chendiya to Araga village covering a distance of 1.5 km.

Later, the children and some villagers moved in the vehicles to Baitakhol and converged near London Bridge to block the national highway for more than one hour.

MLA Satish Sail told that they had already parted with their lands for the Sea Bird project. Therefore, bypass should be constructed to protect these families. He added that Amdalli Gram Panchayat office and many other offices should be shifted for highway widening.

Amadalli High School ground would also be acquired for the four-lane project. This would affected the progress of the students, he said. Talking on the occasion, Amadalli Gram Panchayat president Satyanarayana K Padti said that highway widening would not be allowed through the villages.

Zilla Panchayat member Chaitra Kotarkar, Congress leader Shambhu Shetty and others led the protest.