National highways will be closed on Jan 23

National highways will be closed on Jan 23

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Jan 20: The Canara Bus Owners’ Association will stage a demonstration to save NH 17 on Jan 23, Saturday. 

During a press conference organized at Hotel Kudla on Jan 20, Wednesday, B Govindraj Hegde, the convener, said that, as part of this programme, NH 17, 63, 206, 48, and 13 will be closed to the traffic from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 



Rajavarma Ballal, the president of the Canara Bus Operators Association, said that all public vehicles will be prohibited from plying along the highway. However, the vehicles of the fire service and ambulances will be permitted to ply. People travelling to important programmes such as marriages or funerals are also permitted to travel along the highway. 

He said that the protest is against the government’s apathy toward the condition of the roads. In spite of the fact that Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamalnath has sanctioned a fund of Rs 110 crore for the repair and maintenance of the national highways, the government is yet to release the funds. He said the protest will not include activities such as cutting trees or lying on the roads. 

Ramesh Kotian, the general secretary of the Taximen’s Association, Udupi; Chandrahas Hegde; Jayaraj Pai, and Udaykumar were present at the press conference.