Karnataka - Belgaum   

Maxi-cab operators stage ‘rasta roko’

TREACHEROUS STRETCH: The unmotorable Belgaum-Aste Road which is nightmare for drivers.

Belgaum: The road users, including owners of private maxi-cabs and mini-door vehicles, on Friday organised a “rasta roko” on Belgaum-Aste Road forcing senior officials of Public Works Department to visit the spot and inspect the bad condition of the road. The Association of Maxi-Cab Mini-Door Operators and Passengers had been drawing attention of the department towards the bad condition of roads for several months.

But the authorities allegedly ignored their demands.

The association had announced a fortnight ago of organising “rasta roko” agitation on Friday if the department continued to turn a blind eye towards their problems.

The association members, who shouted slogans against the department and its officials, said the stretch of Belgaum-Gokak Road had developed potholes.

Driving on this road was a nightmare and a back-breaking experience. A smooth ride on this road remained a dream. Although the road was repaired last year, the quality of work was substandard.

Vehicles that regularly used the road were badly damaged. The owners had to spend a fortune on getting the vehicles repaired.

The members said it was not possible for the operators to continue in this manner for long.

The Government collected taxes but spent very little on maintenance of roads.

They would intensify their agitation if the PWD failed to take up repair work immediately.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Maxi-cab operators stage ‘rasta roko’
A welcome break
Nodal officer for telecom panel
Airtel’s expansion plans for Belgaum

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu