Blurb
Commuters protest poor Aurad Koutha road condition, demand urgent repairs, warn highway blockade if authorities fail to restore safe connectivity within a week.
Bidar
Residents and commuters staged a protest over the severely damaged condition of the Aurad–Koutha road, demanding immediate repairs and warning of a possible highway blockade if authorities fail to take swift action.
The 12-km stretch, which connects several villages including Pashapur, Alur (K), Alur (B), Gadikushnoor, Bansi Tanda and surrounding habitations, has become nearly unmotorable, according to local residents. Commuters said that travel time on the route has increased to over an hour due to potholes, uneven surfaces and deteriorating road conditions.
Villagers reported that the poor infrastructure has significantly disrupted daily life, particularly affecting school and college students who struggle to reach educational institutions on time. They also alleged that public transport services have reduced frequency on the route, as bus drivers are reluctant to operate on the damaged road due to safety concerns.
Protesters accused the Public Works Department (PWD) of failing to carry out timely repairs despite repeated complaints. They claimed that officials cited a lack of government funding as the reason for inaction, a justification that residents strongly criticised as unacceptable given the extent of public hardship.
Speaking during the protest, Sanjukumar Belur warned that if the road is not repaired within a week, villagers will intensify their agitation by staging a road blockade on the Bidar–Aurad highway near Koutha. He said the protest would continue until concrete action is taken by the authorities.
Residents urged district officials to prioritise the issue and initiate urgent repair works to restore safe and smooth connectivity for daily commuters. They emphasised that the road is a crucial link for economic activity, education and essential services in the region.
The demonstration reflects growing frustration among rural communities over infrastructure neglect and delayed maintenance of key roads in the district. Authorities are yet to issue an official response to the protest and demands raised by the villagers.