Udupi: The Karnataka High Court dismissed 4 writ petitions seeking the limitation of National Highways to a width of 45 feet only, thereby telling 181 litigants that highways shall have a width of 60 feet.

Work is on at Brahmavara to widen 4 way lanes on the NH 66, as also, on a 15km stretch from Talapady to Suratkal and thence to Kundapura for 75km (totally 90kms), but Mukund Bhat and other petitioners owning homes, had objected to the width of 60 feet anywhere.

All their petitions made in 2010, seeking stay order, were dismissed by Judge Ashok B. Hindgiri. Arguments lasted one year on both sides. The petitioners had to lose their lands wholly or in parts, in the process.

The work of widening highway went on briskly where it was Government land and also, where no stay order was in force. The KHC indicated that in India, the land owners held their portions only temporarily. Underground water and mine wealth came under the state Government. Any water and mine wealth came under the state Government. Any riches found underground would go the state treasury. Royalty had to be paid, for mining materials, to the state, which has powers to acquire any land in the country for better purposes, it was stated.