Kumta: The survey authorities, who reached the Herwatta area in Kumta to conduct a survey for NH66 were opposed by enraged residents. The local people took offense to the task and did not allow them to continue the survey. The incident was reported at 22nd January, Sunday at evening.

The residents of Herwatta urge that the widening of national highway in the town should proceed from the existing highway. The authorities who arrived for the survey belonged to a Bengaluru based company and were identified as Madhu BP, Hemant Kumar, Shridar, Madhusudan and Suresh. It was said that, these people silently arrived at the hilly region in Herwatta and started surveying the region. The residents of the area noticed this and immediately brought up the notice of 'Bypass virodhi horata samiti'. Hundreds of residents rushed and gathered on the spot and surrounded the officials.

Police personnel rushed to the spot soon after the incident and took the NHAI officials to the station for investigations.

Speaking to the protestors, a member of 'bypass virodhi horata samithi', Harish Shet said that for the convenience of certain rich people, certain authorities decided to have a bypass, while at the other side hundreds of poor people will have to witness loss of lands and houses due to the bypass, which the authorities are least bothered about.

He warned the officials that stones and the other materials brought up for the bypass survey will be used and thrown and they will not let them to bypass the highway in this area at any condition.