The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) led the protests against the “pathetic condition” of the road network in and around Surathkal and Kana and burnt an effigy of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC).
The DYFI warned that residents would intensify their agitation if the work was not done in a fortnight if the roads were not improved.
Addressing the participants, DYFI state president Munir Katipalla accused Mangaluru City North MLA Y Bharat Shetty of failing to execute the development works. A new road project, which was sanctioned during the tenure of the previous MLA, was canceled due to Dr Shetty’s incompetence. Work has also come to a standstill in Krishnapura market.
Mr Katipalla accused the MLA of inciting communal tension to hide his failure in development works in the area. The MCC does not have funds to fix the roads, while the BJP government is accused of demanding 40% commission in civil works projects.
DYFI district president BK Imtiaz said Dr Shetty had taken political mileage citing the pathetic condition of roads in Surathkal during the elections, but is now ignoring infrastructure development. While crores of rupees were being spent in some parts of Mangaluru, Surathakal was being denied the benefits of smart city projects.
Shri Imtiaz said that Surathkal-Kana Main Road is in poor condition due to heavy vehicular movement to and from industries including MRPL and MSEZ. The ₹60 crore road development project approved in 2017 was awarded by Dr. Shetty, but the MLAs later failed to ensure that fresh tenders were called for the road project.
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