Throw open BRTS corridor for private vehicles, demands Dharwad Dhwani

Members of Dharwad Dhwani and others staging a protest on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Dharwad witnessed a protest by members of an organisation called Dharwad Dhwani and others on Thursday who wanted the Hubballi Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System (HD-BRTS) corridor to be thrown open for private vehicles.

The protest culminated in high drama with the police detaining some of the protestors who were released later.

The members of Dharwad Dhwani staged their protest on Kalabhavan premises to highlight their demand seeking permission to private light motor vehicles to use the BRTS corridor between the twin cities.

Members of Dharwad Dhwani and others being detained on Thursday when they were staging a protest.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

As part of the protest, some of them wanted to ride their two-wheelers on the BRTS corridor, but their attempt was foiled by the police.

At the Jubilee Circle, some protesters staged a sit-in on the BRTS corridtor, while a few others tried to enter the corridor with their two-wheelers. However, the police foiled their attempt by detaining them.

President of Dharwad Dhwani Eshwar Shivalli said that despite repeated memoranda, the authorities have not responded to their plea.

While traffic on the BRTS corridor is low, the two lanes meant for mixed traffic always witnesses heavy congestion. The ideal solution will be to allow private light vehicles on the BRTS corridor, he said.

Hearing their grievances, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar and Managing Director of HD-BRTS Savitri Kadi assured the protesters that they will soon hold a meeting to address the issue.