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UDUPI: Uncertainty over the NH-66 widening project at Padubidri in Udupi seems to have ended with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) deciding to drop its plan to construct a bypass.

 The NHAI had earlier proposed a 1.9-km long and 60-metre wide bypass to be constructed in Padubidri at a cost of Rs 28.18 crore. The road proposed to the east of the existing highway required 20.40 hectares of land and demolition of several houses. In November last year, some local organizations and peoples’ representatives came out to oppose the project.

 The ongoing project between Surathkal-Kundapur, a stretch of 75 km, has achieved 70 per cent completion. However, the road widening project at Padubidri was halted due to uncertainty over bypass plan.

 Sources in NHAI told STOI that road widening will begin in Padubidri within 15 days.

 There were as many as 110 houses of which 38 belonged to dalit families. Those who were opposing the bypass construction claimed that most families settled in Padubidri after being displaced following the setting up of UPCL and Suzlon companies in the region a few years ago.

 Shekar Hejamady, a dalit leader, said the locals’ fight against the bypass project has been fructified.

 ’’We are now waiting for the road widening project to start. There was no bypass proposed in the entire stretch between Kundapur and Surathkal. The plan was mooted in Padubidri only due to lobbying by some rich businessmen who encroached the National Highway," he alleged.

 However, there is disagreement for the road widening project too.

 Y Sukumar, who spearheaded a protest against the road widening plan, said then deputy commissioner M T Reju too had agreed that there was no encroachment to the extent claimed by the government.

 "If encroachment is done by some people, they should be evicted. We will resume our legal fight and approach the Supreme Court to get justice if road widening is done without considering our demands," he added.