Mangaluru: A temporary closure of the national highway at Shiradi Ghat for carrying out repairs has triggered apprehension among environmentalists and those opposing the Yettinahole drinking water project that blocking vehicular traffic would only help the government accelerate work on the controversial project.

“About two years ago, when the road was closed for first phase of repair and laying a concrete road in Shiradi Ghat, work on the Yettinahole project was initiated in a hush-hush manner. The authorities had started all major work and people here were unaware that the work had started as the road was completely closed. Construction of dams, and piling up of large number of pipes near Sakaleshpur were done during this time,” said an activist, adding “people did not notice the work as Shiradi Ghat was closed. We got to know about it much later. Closure of the road provided authorities enough time to commence the work. We fear the same thing may repeat this time too when the road will be closed for second phase of repairs. They might speeden up work on the project when the road is closed.”

Activists near Shiradi Ghat concur about the intentions of the government to close the highway. “This year too authorities claim that they want to close the highway for repair and re-laying of the road next month. But we feel that closure of the road will be used by the government to speed up work on Yettinahole project. The government can achieve two goals at a time by blocking the road. It can repair the road and also speeden up work on the Yettinahole project," Malenadu Janahitharakshana Vedike president Kishore Shiradi told Deccan Chronicle.

"It might look as though the repairs are taking a long time, but there are possibilities of delaying the road work to help Yettinahole project continue uninterrupted," he alleged.