Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 15: Convener of National Highway 17 Land-losers Action Committee, Ramadas Nayak, said that the state High Court has stayed additional acquisiton of land for highway 17 expansion between Suratkal and Kundapur, as a result of 390 writ petitions submitted by aggrieved individuals who are losing their lands for the project. He was speaking at a meeting of people affected by the highway expansion, organized on Thursday April 14 at Shyamili auditorium here.

“We are not opposing highway development. We are aggrieved by the decision of the department to acquire 60 metres of land instead of its actual requirement of 45 metres. In Kundapur and Kota, the National Highways Authority of India has acquired land up to a width of 45 metres only. In Nantoor, Talapady, Kottara etc, the extent of land acquired is 35 metres. Why then, is the department hell bent on acquiring 60 metres in other places and showing partisan attitude?” he questioned.

Nayak said that 355 out of 390 writ petitioners have received copies of their sty orders, and the others will be getting the same soon. “This is our initial victory. We will continue our legal struggle against partisan decision to acquire 60 metres of land for highway expansion,” he asserted.

He said that state public works department minister, C M Udasi, had met union minister for highways, Dr C P Joshi, on March 8 and apprised him of the problems. He added that discussions were not held. “A delegation of affected people led by Ratnakumar, an office bearer of the committee, will meet the minister in Delhi soon and hold discussions. Some MLAs from the coast will accompany the delegation. Date for the visit will be finalized within a week,” he added.

Office bearers of the committee, Ratnakumar, Anand Rao Uppur, and Venkat Kumar, were present. The affected people who attended the meeting, discussed the individual problems they are facing, with the committee office bearers.