Bhatkal: Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner Prabhuling Kavalikatti visited Bhatkal to assess the water accumulation situation in the taluk caused by continuous rainfall over the past four days. He held a meeting with members of Bhatkal Naagrik Hitharakshana Vedike to understand the challenges faced by the residents.

During the meeting, leaders discussed the problems encountered by the citizens in various parts of the taluk due to congestion resulting from the expansion of the National Highway and inadequate water drainage management.

Vedike President Satish Kumar Naik attributed the issues faced by the public in areas like Ranginkatte, Shamsuddin Circle, Mood Bhatkal, and Mankuli to the National Highway Expansion Project contractor company, IRB. He criticized the company for their unscientific approach and failure to construct proper drainage systems, leading to the present predicament. Satish Kumar expressed dissatisfaction with the municipal officers and IRB company's handling of the problems and demanded an urgent, permanent solution to alleviate the citizens' plight. He highlighted the citizens' cooperation in the National Highway expansion and criticized the officials for their lack of responsiveness regarding essential public facilities.

Inayatullah Shahbandri, the president of the local social organization Majlis e Islah wa Tanzeem, reported that when water accumulates on the Ranginkatte National Highway and lacks an outlet, it enters nearby houses. He noted that water used to flow through various channels and reach the nearby river. However, the drain outside Noor Masjid was not cleaned until recently, after waterlogging occurred at Shamsuddin Circle. Inayatullah further stated that the drain from Shamsuddin Circle, passing near the Police Ground through Sagar Road, is now completely blocked. Additionally, the drains on Nagappa Naik Road, outside the petrol pump, and behind the court near Ranginkatte are all obstructed without any cleaning efforts. According to him, the responsibility for cleaning the drains lies with the municipality, and they cannot blame the IRB for their negligence. He demanded immediate cleaning of the blocked drains to alleviate the waterlogging issues at Circle, Ranginkatte, and the National Highway. M.R. Naik, a Namdhari leader, supported Inayatullah Shahbandri's statements, emphasizing that the blocked drains are impeding proper water flow, effectively turning the National Highway into a pond.

Krishna Naik and Shrikant Naik pointed out that many buildings in the city have encroached upon rainwater drains illegally. They stressed the need to restore the drainage system to ensure proper rainwater disposal, as the existence of such drains in the past prevented issues of water entering houses or collecting on roads.

Municipal Councilor Altaf Kharuri criticized the substandard functioning of the underground drainage (UGD) system in Bhatkal. He explained that during the summer, drain water enters the wells of houses, and during the rainy season, contaminated water starts flowing on the roads. He mentioned that while the first phase of UGD damaged 50 wells, the recent UGD works have resulted in around 5000 wells being affected.

After listening to the public's grievances, the Deputy Commissioner questioned the Municipal Chief Officer, Suresh Kumar, regarding the absence of a detailed report to higher authorities concerning the issues in Bhatkal.

The Deputy Commissioner assured the social activists and Vedike members that prompt measures would be taken to address these problems. Several individuals, including Atiqur Rahman Muniri, Mohiuddin Ruknuddin, Abdul Sami Kola, Dr. Zameerullah Sharif and Imshad Mukhtasar were also present.