Without service road, we are going to become prisoners of National Highway, fear Kasaragod residents

KASARGOD: Residents living between Cherkala and Chattanchal — a 5.5km stretch with eight sharp twists and turns — fear they would be “isolated” and “imprisoned” in their localities as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is widening NH66 with no provision for service roads.

The residents came to know that the winding highway passing through the hills and over a river did not have service roads only last weekend and they are worried. “The work has started. How could the government approve such a proposal? How will we get home?” said Hameed Kannampally, a resident of Thekkil-Ferry Road.