Bhatkal: The ten days long 'Dharna' demanding 45 metres of road widening for Shirali NH66 has been temporarily withdrawn after Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner Sajid Mulla and MLA Sunil Naik explained the protesters regarding Centre's plans.
 
It is to be recalled that the members of Shirali Gram Panchayat along with the residents had staged protest beside the national highway demanding expansion of highway for 45 metres. The protest has been paused after the intervention AC Sajid Mulla and MLA Sunil Naik, who  visited the place on Sunday evening and informed about the center’s plan of extending the widening of road to 45 meters.

Bhatkal MLA Sunil Naik, who spoke on the occasion, said, “Our protest is getting good response from the center. Very soon the widening of road will get extended to 45 meters”

Shirali gram panchayat president Venkatesh Naik, speaking on the occasion said that Government's amount is our amount. We don't have any intention of stopping the development works in Shirali. Instead it is good when District Administration along with IRB company moves smoothly in this connection. But the widening of highway should take place with 45 metres, and not 30 metres. We are hoping the positive response from the government. If the demands aren't met, we would resume the protest again, he threatened.

Bhatkal CPI KL Ganesh, Krishna Naik Asarakeri, Mohan Devadiga, Kishore Naik Chitrapur, Prabhakar Naik, Nagappa Naik, Rajesh naik and others were present during the occasion on Sunday.