Bhatkal: A team of Uttara Kannada officers, led by Uttara Kannada District Urban Development Project Director Stella Varghese, arrived in Bhatkal on Monday under the direction of Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner Prabhuling Kavalikatti. The team visited and reviewed various areas of the National Highway where water had accumulated. They were accompanied by National Highway officials, IRB officials, and Municipal Chief Officer.

Ms. Varghese criticized the IRB company engineer for the absence of a proper drainage system at Mood Bhatkal Bypass, Mankuli, and near Raghunath Math. Residents of these areas have reported significant water accumulation during the rainy season since the start of the four-lane highway work. The water enters agricultural lands, including houses, turning the entire area into a pond.

Upon reaching the affected areas of KSRTC bus stand, Shamsuddin Circle, Ranginkatte, and outside the court, the team observed that the rainwater drains either disappeared or remained uncleaned. Municipal councillors and residents of the area explained that previously, water flowing from the drains through Sagar Road, Bundar Road, opposite Noor Masjid, and the drain opposite the KSRTC Bus Stand prevented water accumulation at Shamsuddin Circle. However, due to the absence of a proper drainage system, water now accumulates in the area.

Ms. Varghese inquired about this from the IRB and the Municipal Chief Officer. It was learned that the situation is complicated due to the National Highway project. Initially, a flyover was planned, but it was later canceled, and now there are plans for a service road. However, the exact location for construction remains unclear, resulting in the drainage channel being mentioned only on the IRB map. Local residents reported that illegal encroachments have been erected on the drains on Sagar Road and Bunder Road, while the drain in front of the KSRTC bus stand has disappeared, and the drain outside Noor Masjid has not been cleaned. Expressing dissatisfaction, Ms. Varghese held the officials accountable and urged the Municipal Chief Officer to clean the drains as soon as possible. She also ordered immediate arrangements for water drainage.

Regarding the water accumulation issue in Ranginkatte on the National Highway, local residents and councilors informed the team that water from the mountains and the drain at Shamsuddin Circle used to flow through the drain leading to Sagar Road. However, the same water now reaches Ranginkatte, and water from other areas accumulates on the Ranginkatta National Highway with no proper drainage system. Consequently, water seeps into houses in Salman Abad.

Ms. Varghese sought responses from IRB officials and National Highway officials, directing them to restore the drains in the area as soon as possible. Local leaders suggested that if proper water drainage is implemented from Shamsuddin Circle, approximately 80% of the water accumulation at Ranginkatte could be resolved through the same drains. Additionally, opening the drain passing through Nagappa Naik Road and the drain behind the court would address the water accumulation problem on Ranginkatta.

Earlier, a meeting was held at the Circuit House presided over by Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner Dr. Naina. Municipal authorities, municipal councillors, members of Jali patan Panchayat, and officials from various social organizations were present. The officials identified the areas of water accumulation on the National Highway in Bhatkal, and during the team's survey of different areas, they provided comprehensive guidance and opinions regarding the problem and its solution.

Uttara Kannada District Urban Development Executive Engineer Ravi Kumar, National Highway Officer Pradeep Pujari, IRB official Sudesh Shetty, Bhatkal Muncipal Chief officer Suresh, Water Board officials, and many other officers were present. Local organization Majlis e Islah Wa Tanzeem's President, Inayatullah Shabandari, NH Horata Samiti convenor Rajesh Nayak, President of Bhatkal Nagarik Hitarakhshana Vedike Satish Naik, municipal councillors Altaf Kharuri, Mohtisham Abdul Azim, Qaiser Mohtishim, Jali Pattan Panchayat members Advocate Imran Lanka and Tawfiq Bari, along with several municipal councillors, were also in attendance.

Speaking to the media, Ms. Varghese stated that she, along with other officers, visited different areas to address the issue of water accumulation on the National Highway in Bhatkal, as instructed by the Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner. She emphasized that they have sought to understand the causes and find a solution to the problem. Ms. Varghese mentioned that she will meet with the Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday to inform him about the survey conducted and within the next two days, gather comprehensive information from the relevant officers and officials regarding the solution to the problem. She expressed the commitment to ensure a sustainable solution to the water accumulation issue.

بھٹکل نیشنل ہائی وے پرپانی جمع ہونے کے مسئلہ کو حل کرنے اُترکنڑا افسران کی ٹیم پہنچی بھٹکل؛ مقامی افسران کو لیا آڑے ہاتھ

ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆಗೆ ಭಟ್ಕಳಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದ ಕಾರವಾರ ತಂಡ ಅವೈಜ್ಞಾನಿಕ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ನಡೆಸಿದ ಐ.ಆರ್.ಬಿ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳ ತರಾಟೆ