Bhatkal: The Supreme Court's recent directions on land-use restrictions along National Highways have triggered fresh concern among residents and landowners in Bhatkal, where National Highway 66 passes through the heart of the densely populated coastal town.
The Supreme Court has directed State Governments to issue notifications prohibiting change of land use within 40 metres of the mid-point of a National Highway for residential purposes and within 75 metres for commercial purposes, in accordance with applicable norms. The order has caused anxiety among Bhatkal residents, particularly those owning small plots of half a gunta, one or two guntas or a few guntas, who fear restrictions on the future use of their properties.
The concern is particularly significant in Bhatkal because of its geographical limitations. The town is situated between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, with the existing highway passing through its urban core. Residents argue that restrictions along the present highway corridor could severely limit the town's future expansion and affect families who have invested their lifetime savings in land.
The development has revived a long-standing demand for an alternative bypass. During highway surveys in 2012-13, local groups had proposed shifting the highway away from the congested town centre and developing an alternative alignment through Sarpankatte, Muttalli, Talaand and Kadavinakatte, before connecting towards the Chitrapur side.
Supporters of the proposal argued that the bypass would allow Bhatkal to expand towards the new corridor while reducing pressure on the existing town. They also claimed that around 70 per cent of the proposed alignment would pass through barren land under the Forest Department, leaving only about 30 per cent in inhabited areas requiring acquisition and compensation.
The proposal, however, faced opposition from sections of the town. Critics claimed that a bypass would weaken Bhatkal's commercial activity and could leave the town economically isolated. There were also claims that the proposed road would pass 10–15 km away from the town and that poor residents in villages along the proposed alignment could be displaced.
Those supporting the bypass disputed these arguments, pointing out that the proposed alignment was much closer to the town than claimed and that cities such as Udupi and Mangaluru had continued to develop despite highways being routed around their urban centres.
Muslim leaders, including the late S.M. Syed Khaleel and Jukaku Abdul Raheem, also expressed appreciation for the bypass proposal and said it could contribute to Bhatkal's future development. However, as survey work began, a group in the urban area strongly opposed the proposal and started voicing objections to the project. They argued that a highway bypass would reduce Bhatkal to the status of Gangolli and stunt its development, while others spread misinformation claiming that the bypass would run 10–15 km outside the town.
Bhatkal has since experienced prolonged disruption linked to the highway project, with residents saying that the town has struggled for years under the impact of highway works and traffic-related problems.
With the highway passing through the heart of Bhatkal, construction work continues without a clear indication of when the project will be completed. Amid rising traffic volumes and congestion, residents are also concerned about vehicle speeds on the highway, while construction of service roads for local residents has yet to begin. Questions remain over when the four-laning project will be completed, when service-road construction will start and when the highway-side drainage work will be completed to provide relief to the public.
The latest Supreme Court direction has added to the uncertainty facing landowners along the existing highway corridor and has once again brought the bypass issue into focus. In this context, many residents and local stakeholders are calling for the government to examine whether an alternative bypass could provide a long-term solution for Bhatkal, balancing highway safety and future urban expansion with the interests of existing landowners and residents.