Bhatkal: The historic Sarabi river of Bhatkal — which flows from Chautani, passing through Shazli Street, Ghausiya Street, Mushma Street, Khalifa Street and Daranta before reaching Dongar Palli and merging into the Arabian Sea — will undergo a major cleaning and desilting operation starting in January. The project is expected to be completed by March. This was assured by Anand Kumar, Superintendent Engineer of the Irrigation Department, Bengaluru, during his visit to the town.
On Thursday, Anand Kumar, along with his team including senior and junior engineers from Karwar, conducted a detailed inspection of the river at Ghausiya Street and Daranta. He also interacted with local public representatives and residents to gather their opinions regarding the river-cleaning project. Later, he held discussions with municipal officials, including former area councillors Qaiser Mohtisham and Fayaz Mulla, former TMC in-charge president Altaf Kharuri, Municipal Chief Officer Venkatesh Nauda, and other officials.
He informed that the state government has sanctioned ₹10 crore for deepening the river, removing silt and sludge, and carrying out overall cleaning work. According to him, the cleaning will be undertaken over a 1.9 km stretch, beginning near Kudrebiraapa Temple in Chautani and extending up to Dongar Palli. The operation will involve removing accumulated mud, sludge and thorny bushes from the riverbed and deepening the river to three metres.
Anand Kumar assured the local representatives that the work will commence in January and will be completed within three months, by March.
During the inspection, the president of Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem, Inayatullah Shabandri, general secretary Abdul Raqeeb MJ Nadvi, Advocate Imran Lanka, Maulavi Temoor Gawai and several other dignitaries from the concerned localities were also present.
It may be recalled that the Sarabi river, once known for its clean waters where residents would swim and spend leisure time, has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Ever since the installation of an underground drainage (UGD) pumping station at Ghausiya Street, sewage water has been repeatedly discharged into the river, turning the once pristine waterway into a polluted drain.
Concerned by the worsening condition of the river, residents from the surrounding areas formed the Sarabi River Horata Samithi, comprising representatives from several local sports centres — including Cosmos, Sunshine, Moon Star, Lion, Royal and Sultani Welfare Association. Under the guidance of the district’s largest social organisation, Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem, the Samithi launched a strong campaign demanding the cleaning and restoration of the river.
A protest was also organised a few months ago as part of this movement. Later, members of the Samithi met Bhatkal MLA and District In-charge Minister Mankal Vaidya and submitted a memorandum requesting immediate action. Acting on their demand, Minister Mankal Vaidya successfully secured ₹10 crore from the state government for the river-cleaning project.