Nileshwar Elevated Road Protest Intensifies on Day 28, Demanding NH 66 Flyover
The agitation led by Janakeeya Samara Samiti (JSS) in Nileshwar, Kasaragod district, has now entered its 28th consecutive day, with protesters significantly ramping up their demands for the construction of a critical elevated road at the Nileshwar market junction on National Highway 66. Demonstrators are expressing growing frustration over what they describe as a disruptive and unscientific embankment project that threatens to severely impair the town's connectivity and economic vitality.
Core Demands and Community Concerns
At the heart of the protest is a firm demand for a pillar-based elevated flyover designed to accommodate two-lane service roads on either side. The JSS argues that the current embankment work, which cuts directly through the town center, will create a disastrous division of Nileshwar into eastern and western segments. This division, they warn, will choke access to essential public spaces including local markets, the railway station, and numerous educational institutions.
Residents fear the earthen embankment will act as a permanent barrier, restricting the natural flow of both pedestrians and vehicles. A major point of contention is the potential impact on Raja Road, the town's primary arterial route. Protesters assert that access to this crucial road will be severely compromised, inevitably leading to heavy traffic congestion and long delays for commuters.
Broader Infrastructure and Safety Implications
The JSS has outlined a comprehensive infrastructure proposal that goes beyond the elevated flyover. The group is also calling for the demolition of the existing two-lane river bridge, constructed in 1957, and its replacement with a modern three-lane bridge that would be seamlessly integrated with the proposed elevated highway. Without these upgrades, they contend, the six-lane NH 66 would be forced to narrow to just five lanes at the river stretch, creating a dangerous and inefficient bottleneck for national traffic.
JSS chairperson Sreenath Sasi issued a strong statement, accusing authorities of neglecting their duty to protect public safety and freedom of movement. "What Nileshwar urgently needs is a pillar-based elevated highway from the Nileshwar river to the police station, especially given the marshy land conditions in this area," Sasi emphasized. "This is not just about convenience; it is a vital measure to prevent a potential disaster and to safeguard the lives of children studying at the AUP School in the market area, while ensuring free movement for the entire public."
Allegations of Neglected Projects and Economic Decline
Adding to the grievances, retired SP and JSS member Raju Ramootty alleged that a previously proposed elevated highway project stretching from Nedunkandam to Karuvachery has been effectively sidelined by authorities. He further noted that the ongoing construction work has already begun to diminish the importance of the Nileshwar market junction, once a vibrant and bustling commercial hub for the region. The fear is that increasing traffic delays will eventually prompt commuters from surrounding areas to avoid Nileshwar altogether, dealing a severe blow to local commerce and the town's economic ecosystem.
Official Response from NHAI
In response to the escalating protests, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) provided a statement regarding the existing plans. Officials confirmed that a vehicular underpass had already been included in the original concession agreement for the NH 66 project. Furthermore, in a concession to public demand, the NHAI stated that approval has also been granted for the construction of an additional pedestrian underpass at the site. However, this response has done little to placate the protesters, who remain steadfast in their demand for a full elevated road solution to address the long-term infrastructural and safety challenges facing Nileshwar.
