Udupi : Social activist Nithyanand Olakadu was seen swimming in potholes filled with slushy water while another protester was seen fishing on Tuesday August 8 in what was a novel way to protest the apathy of the government authorities as well as elected representatives towards the pathetic road conditions on the Malpe-Manipal National Highway-66.
Speaking to media persons Nithyanand Olakadu said, “Manipal is an educational and health hub. Thousands of people visit this area. Emergency vehicles like ambulances too are on this stretch. They however, have to face commuting issues as the roads here are filled with potholes posing inconveniencing the people.”
Further he mentioned of a recent incident where a heart patient breathed his last while on way to the hospital due to the bad road conditions.
The concerned authorities and elected people’s representatives should repair the road from Syndicate Circle to Manipal Hospital, he added.
Despite the Union government recently upgrading the Theerthahalli and Malpe via Agumbe into National Highway, the road remains to be concretised, he said.
Balakrishna Kodavoor too joined the protest playing drums.
