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Title : Need to allow plying of vehicular traffic during night time on NH-212 between Kerala and Karnataka.
SHRI M.I. SHANAVAS (WAYANAD): Wayanad is one of the most beautiful districts in Kerala and a serene tourist destination. Yet it is one of the most backward districts in South India. It is a tribal district and one among the ninety minority districts recognised by the Government of India. Wayanad is surviving on tourism and trading of spices and other agricultural produces. NH 212 is the most important road connecting Kozhikode district to Karnataka. Tens of thousands of students and employees in the Information Technology sector use this road.
The NH 212 which is called Calicut-Kollayil road is the most important route for commuters as well as for travellers. Thousands of buses ply on this road every night and it is an arterial road for logistical transport. Numerous goods carriers ply on this road. The most convenient time for vehicular traffic on this road is at night. When this road is blocked the vehicles will have to take alternate roads that are very poor and dangerous to travel and it takes at least 125- 400 Kms. extra distance on different routes.
The Hon’ble Karnataka High Court stayed the night traffic on this route from August 6th onwards. People are agitated and all political parties, social organizations and Chamber of Commerce have decided to jointly launch an agitation from the 6th August, 2009. The entire economy of two districts would be affected and hence the Government should undertake necessary steps to resolve this issue at the earliest.