NHAI launches flood mitigation measures for DK, Udupi

Mangaluru: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched monsoon preparedness works in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts with focus on drain cleaning and flood mitigation measures along national highways.NHAI project director Abdulla Javed Azmi said that Kottara Junction has been identified as the most vulnerable point for flooding during heavy rain.He said that cleaning of rajakaluves and drains in the area is currently under way as part of the key monsoon preparedness measures.It may be recalled that the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal had earlier conducted a study to identify the reasons behind the recurring floods at Kottara chowki. The study suggested removal of weeds at Bangra Kulur.According to Javed, the highway stretch at Kottara Junction lies in a low-lying area, and during the monsoon, rainwater from rajakaluves overflows onto the highway.He also pointed to utility pipelines laid inside culverts as a major problem, saying they obstruct water flow and reduce carrying capacity. The issue has been raised with local authorities, though many pipelines are part of essential infrastructure works.On building an additional culvert at Kottara, Javed said it would be difficult. He cited limited working days during the rainy season and the need to manage traffic, adding that such work would require closure of the entire stretch, which is not feasible.When asked about contingency plans if flooding reoccurs despite desilting efforts, Javed said the major concern lies with the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) rajakaluves. He noted that MCC has already undertaken cleaning work in the area.Apart from Kottara, Javed said that junctions such as Hosabettu, Karavali Junction, Kulai and Pumpwell also face waterlogging issues every year, and drain cleaning activities have already begun at these locations.Responding to questions on monsoon preparedness, Javed said, “We do not have any separate plan, but we have identified the critical areas and started major cleaning works,from May 1.”Speaking about Pumpwell, which witnessed flooding even during pre-monsoon rains, Javed said cleaning work has already been completed there.He explained that during high tide, river outflow gets blocked, and since Pumpwell is one of the city’s lowest-lying areas, flooding becomes severe. He added that the carrying capacity of the drains is also affected.Referring to Karavali Junction in Udupi, Javed said that cleaning activities carried out last year helped prevent flooding at the junction.“This year too, we have carried out similar works,” he said.However, he added that it is impossible to guarantee that flooding will not occur this year at any location, including Kottara.“But whatever happens, we have a response team that will respond promptly,” he said.Javed also revealed that several works have been undertaken across the Thalapady–Kundapura stretch based on observations and performance assessments from previous years.Across the Thalapady–Kundapura stretch, NHAI has also carried out crack sealing on the main carriageway, completed pipeline installations using the HDD method, cleaned more than 30 culverts, cleared line drains, median chutes and unlined drains, and deployed a dedicated monsoon maintenance team.