LDF to Launch Hunger Strike Over Road Repair Delays by NHAI

Swift Summary

• Issue: Left Democratic Front (LDF) leaders from three panchayats have threatened an indefinite hunger strike over unfulfilled promises to repair potholes on NH 544 at Muringoor,Kerala.
• Protest Details: On Thursday evening, LDF representatives locked NHAI site engineer A. Amal in a room for nearly two hours due to severe traffic congestion and delayed repairs.
• Escalation: police intervened after tensions escalated when elected representatives staged a sit-in outside the locked room. Negotiations followed with DySP involvement.
• Engineer’s Response: after consulting seniors, the engineer assured that tarring at the worst-hit stretch would begin immediately and that urgent issues would be addressed soon by top NHAI officials.
• Kerala High Court Action: An interim traffic management committee was formed comprising district authorities to address congestion along NH 544.

Indian Opinion analysis

The protest reflects growing frustration over infrastructure delays affecting public mobility. Local authorities’ decision to escalate their demands highlights evolving grassroots advocacy techniques while spotlighting accountability gaps within NHAI operations. The intervention of the Kerala High Court signals recognition of systemic issues in highway management and may set a precedent for addressing such grievances more effectively in future scenarios. Immediate action from stakeholders could prevent further unrest while providing relief to commuters suffering due to longstanding travel woes.

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