Bhatkal: In a protest held on Tuesday, the Bhatkal unit of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) criticised what it termed the “unscientific” and unsafe practices of IRB Infrastructure, the company contracted for the four-laning of National Highway 66 (NH-66). The party accused the contractor of negligence, alleging that its substandard work has led to repeated accidents and loss of lives.
The demonstration took place near Noor Masjid, the site of multiple recent accidents, including the death of Murdeshwar resident Ishwar Naik on August 22. Protestors raised slogans against both the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and IRB, pointing to the absence of streetlights, pedestrian facilities, barricades, and warning signs. They argued that these failures have turned the highway into a “death trap.”
“The death of Ishwar Naik was a direct result of unscientific construction and lack of safety measures,” the SDPI said in a memorandum submitted to the Tahsildar, which was addressed to the Assistant Commissioner, with copies also forwarded to senior state officials including the Governor. The party demanded immediate action against IRB, an independent inquiry into safety violations, and stricter monitoring of highway projects across the state.
Addressing the gathering, SDPI district president Taufiq Beary noted that the highway project has dragged on for more than a decade and has been stalled for the past one and a half years. “If work does not resume and safety measures are not implemented within ten days, we will launch a larger protest,” he warned.
Protestors initially insisted that the Assistant Commissioner or Tahsildar come to the site to receive their memorandum. When officials failed to appear, they marched to the Taluka Administration Office to submit their demands.
The protest was also attended by SDPI district secretary Waseem Manegar, district council member Zainuddin, Bhatkal assembly secretary Saqib, along with Suhail, Abdul Sami, and others.
Following the protest, Bhatkal Tehsildar Nagendr Kolashetty inspected the dilapidated highway stretch in front of Noor Masjid and assured that repair works would begin soon. Circle Police Inspector Divakar, PSI Naveen, and other police personnel were present under the supervision of Bhatkal DySP Mahesh.