National highway bundh affects normal life in Mangalore

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Jan 23: The Rashtreeya Heddari Ulisi Samithi called for a national highway bundh today. Six highways passing through Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada were successfully blocked today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Although the Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners’ Association issued a statement that city buses would ply as usual, many city buses were unable to do so as their regular routes included the national highways.

The Rashtreeya Heddari Ulisi Samithi set up 50 committees in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, as well as Uttara Kannada to effectively enforce the bandh. Several organizations extended their whole-hearted support to the bundh. The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), which supported the highway bundh, organized blocks at Nanthoor. The committees also organized entertainment programmes such as skits and orchestras in some areas. 

The city roads looked deserted all day. Passengers who had arrived in Mangalore this morning from places such as Bangalore and Belgaum found themselves unable to get transportation to their respective destinations. Some night buses going to Kundapur and Udupi offered their services to the waiting passengers. Even the autorickshaws, which were plying as usual, were unable to cope with the situation. Students and employees were seen waiting for buses in bus stands throughout the city.