Karkala: National highway floods after light rain, causing inconvenience to public

Karkala: Even a short spell of rain on Tuesday caused flooding along the incomplete Sanur-Pulkeri Bypass to Bikarnakatte stretch of NH-169, disrupting vehicular movement and affecting nearby houses and shops.

The four-lane Mangaluru-Karkala highway project, under the Mangaluru-Solapur corridor, has been delayed for years. The 45-km project from Sanur Pulkeri Bypass to Bikarnakatte in Padavu village has faced land acquisition issues, alignment changes, and meager compensation for agricultural landowners, resulting in prolonged uncertainty.

Unscientific roadwork near Sanur and Pulkeri has blocked the natural drainage of rainwater, leading to waterlogging. Residents now fear the situation will worsen during the monsoon.

Local residents complain that rainwater is entering homes and shops around Sanur Youth Club due to the lack of proper drains. Despite multiple instances of flooding after recent rains, the highway department has not taken any concrete action.

Key Issues:

• No proper drainage or service road construction.
• Unfinished roadwork resulting in stagnant water.
• Rainwater entering households and damaging properties.

Residents have urged the highway authorities to complete drain and service road construction before the monsoon sets in.