Bhatkal: In response to persistent complaints of waterlogging on the National Highway in Bhatkal—particularly near Ranginkatta, Shamsuddin Circle, and Mankuli—Highway Project Director Shiv Kumar visited the affected areas on Friday. The visit came after recent rains once again flooded key stretches of the highway, severely disrupting vehicular movement.
Despite the construction of a new drain near Ranginkatta, heavy rainfall on Thursday night led to flooding at the same location, with similar issues reported at Shamsuddin Circle. During the inspection, Altaf Kharuri, In-Charge President of the Bhatkal Municipal Council, briefed the Director on long-standing drainage blockages. He highlighted that several culverts—including those near the KSRTC bus stand and Noor Masjid—were clogged with mud and debris, while some had become ineffective due to encroachments.
Kharuri noted that the lack of regular cleaning since the commencement of highway construction has resulted in rainwater overflowing into nearby residential areas, including Salmanabad, Kogti, and Azad Nagar. He accompanied Shiv Kumar and other officials to several severely affected zones. Following the visit, the Project Director ordered immediate cleaning of blocked culverts and instructed the construction of new ones where necessary.
The inspection team—comprising officials from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Bhatkal Municipality, and IRB (the highway contractor)—also visited Mankuli. There, local residents voiced frustration over repeated monsoon flooding, stating that poor drainage forces families to stay awake at night as water enters their homes. They claimed that complaints made over several years had gone unaddressed.
Residents alleged that previously constructed three-meter-wide drains were replaced with narrower ones during recent development works. They also pointed out that encroachments along the highway are obstructing natural water flow. Locals demanded immediate removal of these blockages and the establishment of an effective drainage system before undertaking further development.
Some also criticized NHAI for acquiring land and compensating owners without completing associated infrastructure works. They urged authorities to prioritise essential systems like water management before launching new projects.
In response, Shiv Kumar acknowledged that large-scale construction would not be feasible during the ongoing monsoon but assured that immediate preventive steps would be taken. He directed IRB officials to ensure rainwater is prevented from entering residential areas.
Following his instructions, drain cleaning has commenced in several parts of Bhatkal. The culvert near Noor Masjid has been cleared, and work on the blocked culverts near the petrol pump and outside the KSRTC bus stand is scheduled to begin on Sunday.
The inspection team included officials from NHAI, IRB, Bhatkal Municipal Chief Officer Venkatesh Nauda, Revenue Officer Chand Pasha, and other representatives.
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