Mangaluru: A protest against the prolonged delay in completing the Kana-MRPL Road and the public works department's negligence in addressing the issue was held by the DYFI Kana unit and the Auto Rickshaw Drivers' Association, affiliated with CITU, on Tuesday.
The protesters also demanded the repair of the Surathkal-Kulai railway overbridge at Kana Junction. Addressing the protesters near Kana Junction, DYFI district president BK Imtiyaz accused Mangaluru city north MLA Y Bharath Shetty of fostering division and spreading hatred among people. He criticised the MLA's track record, claiming it showed "zero" development for the region.
Despite a long-standing public demand for a four-lane road, Imtiyaz alleged that corruption stemming from contract politics within both BJP and Congress hindered the project, with MLA Shetty remaining silent on the matter.
He said unscientific construction and the absence of a proper drainage system led to rainwater flooding shops and homes. Imtiyaz called for the immediate completion of the road work, warning that protests would intensify if delays persisted.
CPI(M) Surathkal unit secretary Srinath Kulal said that, despite years passing since the railway bridge road began deteriorating, no solution was implemented. He alleged that the incomplete Kana road construction is causing daily accidents and endangering lives.