Bhatkal: In view of the prolonged delay in the National Highway four-lane construction works in Bhatkal taluk, the Bhatkal Citizens’ Protection Forum (Bhatkal Naagrik Hitarakshana Samithi) convened a meeting of local leaders to discuss the growing concerns of the public.

Participants in the meeting expressed strong dissatisfaction with the performance of the highway contractor, IRB Infrastructure. Members alleged that due to incomplete and poorly maintained stretches of the highway, several serious accidents have occurred in recent days, claiming three lives within a span of just 15 days. They argued that these incidents were not mere accidents but the result of negligence in maintaining the half-finished road, where motorists attempting to avoid potholes often collide with oncoming vehicles.

Forum president Satish Kumar said that no elected representative has raised their voice over these repeated mishaps, and that the silence of leaders has disheartened the public. He emphasized that only a united struggle by citizens can bring relief from such tragedies.

Although district authorities had issued a press note earlier stating that highway work would resume in the first week of October, the contractor has reportedly not acted on the directive. Members alleged that this raises questions about the state government’s ability to enforce compliance.

The meeting further noted that in the name of NH road expansion, electric poles along the highway were shifted, throwing large parts of the town into darkness. Bhatkal town has reportedly been facing severe power-related inconvenience for nearly three years.

Responding to RTI queries, the National Highways Authority stated that delays were due to certain private properties pending clearance in court. However, members claimed that only 1.125 km of work is officially said to be pending and that even this stretch has already been cleared on the ground, leading to suspicions of misinformation.

The committee also criticised IRB for collecting tolls despite not completing the project. During a pre-monsoon meeting held at the Sub-Divisional Office, IRB had sought permission to connect the highway formally, but, according to committee members, the company did not show readiness to complete essential public facilities such as drains and service roads. The committee therefore opposed granting permission, insisting that basic civic requirements be completed first.

Although the company reportedly assured that work would resume after the monsoon, no progress has been seen so far. The meeting unanimously condemned this inaction.

The forum decided to meet highway project officials within the next few days to seek clear reasons for the ongoing delay. It also resolved to reconvene soon to decide future actions, including public protests, if necessary.

Those present at the meeting included president of Majlise Islah wa Tanzeem Inayathullah Shabandari, forum vice-president Advocate Imran Lanka, Tanzeem general secretary Abdul Raqeeb M.J. Nadvi, municipal councilor Nagaraj Naik, Subodh Achari, Ganapati Naik Jali, auto-rickshaw union president Venkatesh Naik, Muhiddin Ruknuddin, Advocate S.M. Khan, S.M. Parvez, Congress leaders Abdul Majeed Gulmi, Venkatayya Bairumane, Lakshman Kotadamakki, Gonda community leader Narayan Gonda, Marukeri panchayat vice-president M.D. Naik, Ganapati Jali, BJP leader Srikant Naik Asarkeri, Yaseen Askiri, Abdul Muneer, Habeeb Mothisham, Jailani Shabandari, S.M. Naik, Misbahul Haq, and others.