Mounesh Vishwakarma
Bantwal: One would cry foul over the state of affairs in the busy Kalladka town which has been caused in the guise of four lane works. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) seemed to extinct the busy town with its latest plans.
NHAI aims to lay four lanes through the bypass that has already caused general opposition in Brahmavar and Padubidri at the limits of Udupi district. It has already identified the lands of 22.5 meters on either side of the road to a total of 45 meters to begin four lane works. It aims to heighten the existing highway at Kalladka town to 15 feet, to lay under passes in 2 locations – to go to Amtoor village and Vittal. It has plans to lay service road on either side of four lanes at that height. If the works goes on as it planned, Kallada town will cease to exist.
What does it mean by underpass?
The four lane is not laid parallel to the ground, instead to build a wall of 15 feet height, to construct wall in both sides and fill it with lose soil and lay four lanes at that height. The underpasses will be laid in two locations for turning to Amtoor and Vittal.
What is the real problem?
The real problem is to extinct the Kalladka town by four lane works.The NHAI is the cause of contention by laying underpasses along the four lanes. If it goes ahead in executing the works, a wall will be built in the middle of Kalladka town and one has to depend on underpass to cross over covering long distance.The entire localities of Brahmavar and Padubidri in Udupi are opposing the ongoing four lane works along with underpasses, while the locals of Kalladka are readying themselves for massive protest against NHAI that is unconcerned of their plight.
The locals are unaware of NHAI move to demolish several households, a few commercial complexes and building in Kallada town. Meanwhile, the Committee that has been formed with intelligent members is aware that NHAI is planning to divide the town by developing four lane and underpass. Despite, the authorities are going ahead with their plans; the struggle has not gathered the strength to have its impact on decision making.If all the likely victims join in the struggle, Kalladka town will have future.
The Committee has studied the inconvenience of underpasses laid on NH 66 at Brahmavar and imagined their hardships if the similar plan becomes reality in Kalladka. If everything goes as per the plan of NHAI; Hassan – B C Road will extinct the Kalladka town. The Committee is apprehensive of future of Kalladka town if in case four lane and underpasses are laid.
