Bhatkal: A meeting to address the completion of the National Highway (NH) Four-Lane project was held on Friday afternoon, presided over by the Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Bhatkal Sub-division, Dr. Naina. The discussion focused on the construction of the Mood Bhatkal bypass, an underpass near Murdeshwar, and the overall progress of the National Highway project in Bhatkal.

Given the frequent accidents caused by incomplete highway work, the AC emphasized the need to expedite the project as a priority and urged public cooperation to ensure its swift completion.

However, President of Bhatkal Nagrik Hitarakshana Vedike, Satish Kumar, and NH Horata Samithi leader Rajesh Nayak voiced strong objections. They highlighted that despite the project commencing over a decade ago, contractors have failed to provide basic amenities to the public. They expressed concern over inadequate efforts by the relevant departments and negligence by the IRB contractor company, citing numerous fatalities and damages caused by incomplete roadwork. They lamented the lack of accountability and claimed that the project has stalled due to a lack of willpower.

In response, the AC assured attendees that the necessity of underpasses near Murdeshwar Basti and the Mood Bhatkal bypass is under the government's consideration. A proposal has already been sent to the central government, but she stressed that completing the highway work before the proposal’s approval is essential. She once again appealed for public cooperation to facilitate the work.

Rajani Venkataraman Naik, President of Muttalli Gram Panchayat, expressed frustration over the neglect of long-standing demands for underpasses. She urged the AC to investigate the reasons behind the villagers’ opposition to the work. "The villagers have been demanding an underpass for the last ten years, but their concerns have been ignored. Proposals were submitted six years ago and again two years ago, but no approval has been granted. Such negligence has eroded public trust," she said.

Imran Lanka, Vice President of Jali Pattan Panchayat, criticized the lack of communication from the highway department, contractor company, and panchayat officials. "Drainage, UGD pipelines, and drinking water arrangements near the highway remain unaddressed, leaving the public uninformed," he said. He also highlighted the hardships faced by nearby villages during the monsoon due to unscientific construction practices.

Altaf Kharuri, Vice President of the Bhatkal Town Municipal Council (TMC), pointed out the department’s failure to maintain under drainage systems and streetlights along the highway, resulting in significant public inconvenience. He noted that recurring rainwater flooding is a direct consequence of poor planning.

Inayatullah Shabandri, President of Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem, a century-old Muslim social organization, criticized the highway department and contractors for ignoring public concerns and carrying out work arbitrarily. He stated that a lack of proper consultation with the local public has led to haphazard progress. He added, "If additional works had been handled responsibly, approvals would have been obtained, and the work would have been completed by now. The current slow progress is due to a lack of willpower."

Satish Kumar reiterated that there is no objection to completing the highway project, but only after addressing basic public amenities such as gutters, the UGD system, and service roads. He warned that the work cannot continue while disregarding these essential requirements and the public’s concerns.

After listening to the arguments, the AC proposed resolving infrastructure-related paperwork within 15 days to gain public trust. A delegation led by the Tahsildar was formed to expedite the paperwork and address issues related to underpasses promptly.

The meeting was attended by officials from the highway department, representatives from the IRB contractor company, secretaries of Muttalli and Mavalli Gram Panchayats, and members of the Nagrik Hitarakshana Samithi, including Jayaram Shanbhag and S.M. Naik.