Bhatkal: The Bhatkal Taluka Citizens Protection Forum submitted a memorandum to the Bhatkal sub divisional Assistant Commissioner addressed to Chief Minister of Karnataka, urging to restrict the widening of NH 17 to 42 meters instead of proposed 60 meters.

According to the memorandum, the width of National Highway in Kerala and Goa was limited to 45 meters. But only in Karnataka, it has been fixed to 60 meters.



Addressing the protesters, Satish Kumar, Secretary of the Bhatkal Citizen’s Forum said that the public of Bhatkal were facing the problem of encroached land on one side and the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) on the other side. He also added that the Bhatkal farmers had sacrificed their agricultural land for the Konkan Railways. Further, acquisition of land for the widening of NH he land to 60 meters will affects hundreds of families. He demanded the NHAI to restrict the widening of National Highway to 45 meters.

On this occasion, the Vice Presidents of Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem SM Parvez, SM Mohiddin, General Secretary Mohiddin Altaf Kahruri, President Auto Rickshaw Union Venkatesh Naik, President Rotary Club Bhatkal Sadullah Damda, Manager Rabita Society Manazir Hussain Sukri, Bhatkal TMC President Inayatullah Shabandri, members of Seva Vahini and many others were present.