Bantwal: Hundreds of villagers, farmers, businessmen and members of various organisations staged a massive protest at Peruvai junction in Vittal on Tuesday, demanding the immediate construction of new bridges to replace two dilapidated and narrow structures that have become a serious threat to public safety.

The protest, organised by local residents and the protest committee, also sought the transfer of the connecting road from Peruvai to Kanyana to the Public Works Department (PWD) for widening and comprehensive development.

The agitation was sparked by the deteriorating condition of the Karnataka-Kerala connecting bridge at Peradka, situated about 500 metres from Peruvai junction, and the Peruvai-Manila road bridge, located around 150 metres away. Both bridges, built several decades ago, have become too narrow to accommodate the increasing volume of traffic, forcing commuters to travel under hazardous conditions.

Bridges turn into accident-prone spots

Residents said the situation becomes particularly dangerous during the monsoon season when water flows over the Peradka bridge, making vehicular movement extremely risky. The absence of retaining walls has further compounded the problem.

According to villagers, a poultry transport vehicle and an Alto car plunged off the bridge within the last 10 days. They claimed that more than 10 vehicles have met with accidents at the spot in recent years, raising serious concerns over public safety.

School and college students, daily commuters and transport operators are among those most affected by the poor infrastructure. Protestors said they are forced to use the bridges every day despite the constant fear of accidents.

Protestors raise key demands

The agitating residents demanded the construction of a wide and modern bridge at Peradka after clearing the dangerous curves leading to the Karnataka-Kerala connecting bridge.

They also sought the demolition of the old and narrow Peruvai-Manila bridge and the construction of a new and safer structure in its place.

Among the other demands was the transfer of the road from Peruvai through Balashetti Moole to Kanyana to the PWD to facilitate road widening and infrastructure development. The protestors also called for the immediate widening and improvement of the remaining narrow stretch between Onibagilu and Pakalakunja.

As an interim measure, they demanded the installation of warning boards, reflectors and strong retaining walls on both bridges until permanent solutions are implemented. They also insisted that the authorities formulate a clear action plan and provide a timeline for completing all the proposed works.

Officials face public anger

Residents said they had submitted several memorandums to government officials and elected representatives in the past, but no concrete action had been taken. Frustrated by the continued inaction, they decided to launch a public protest.

Sensing the intensity of the agitation, Zilla Panchayat engineer Taranath and Mangaluru division engineer Venugopal rushed to the protest venue. However, both officials were gheraoed by the protestors and faced sharp criticism over the delay in addressing the issue.

Social activist Yatish Peruvai, who spearheaded the agitation, accused the authorities of neglecting the demands of the local people. He alleged that after an earlier deadline was issued, the department merely dumped a single load of laterite stones at the site, calling it an attempt to “throw dust in the eyes of the public”.

The protestors raised slogans condemning the alleged apathy of the authorities and demanded immediate intervention.

Engineers assure immediate measures

Following intense discussions and pressure from the protestors, engineer Venugopal assured the gathering that immediate safety measures would be taken.

He said work on temporary protective measures would commence the next day and that barricades and warning boards would be installed within a week. The retaining wall work, he added, would be completed within 15 days.

PWD engineer Avinash informed the gathering that a proposal for the construction of a new bridge and the upgradation of rural roads had already been submitted to the government based on earlier representations from the public. He assured the protestors that work on the new bridge would begin as soon as the project receives official approval.

Hundreds join agitation

Social activist Yatish Peruvai delivered the introductory address, explaining the objectives and background of the protest. Gopalakrishna Shetty Senerapalu, M Mahabala Bhat Muruva, Ganesh Bhat Delanthamajalu and Raghava Master Beripadavu also addressed the gathering.

Several local leaders, including Vineeth Shetty Kana, Prabhakar Shetty Kalaythimar, Ashok Shetty Manila, Vishnu Bhat Kannadaguli, Prakashchandra Shetty, Girish Patali, Hemanth Patali, Manoj Acharya, Ganesh Rai, P K Sridhar, Savitha Acharya and Surya Prabha, were present.

Jayaram Alva Badiyaru welcomed the gathering and compered the programme, while Mokshith Peruvai proposed the vote of thanks.

The large turnout reflected growing public concern over the deteriorating condition of the bridges and increasing pressure on the authorities to provide a permanent solution before another major accident occurs.