Bhatkal: The 'Kaari Halla' storm drain, which flows in the midst of Murdeshwar has been a nuisance to travellers and residents alike. It not only causes flooding but adversely impacts roads after just a few spells of rain. The path leading from the National Highway to Syndicate bank gets waterlogged after just a few bouts of rain. It is posing problems to school-going children, public transport and vendors who are irked by the dirty water entering their shops.

The public apathy and official negligence is the root cause of this issue. The "Kaari halla" flowed through Murdeshwar's National colony and Sambhavi in Shirali upto a distance of approximately 6 kms but it has been noticed that around the drain, scores of houses are built on encroached lands which has led to the blockage of flow in its path. Meanwhile people complain that the local panchayat and the revenue department are paying no attention to the encroachment.  

Though there is an initiative of installing new technologies in Murdeshwar and widening of highways, establishment of electric poles near the highways but the issue of Kaari halla flares up every monsoon . "Many appeals were made, considering the sad plight of the farmers, to the agricultural department but there has been no satisfying response", locals alleged. 

Speaking to SahilOnline, MLA Mankal Vaidya said: "It is true that Murdeshwar is facing this grave problem. Many people have realised their folly after constructing the houses on the encroached land. Since it is not possible to remove the houses around the sewers, efforts are being taken to elevate the road and build a bridge over the storm drain worth Rs 1 crore. If the government approves it, the bridge construction will begin soon."

BJP  submits memorandum, appeals for the solution

As Murdeshwar is world-famous for being a tourist destination, Bhatkal BJP has submitted a memorandum to the Assistant Commissioner Chidanand Vatare on Monday appealing the government to resolve the issue of Kaari storm drain. 

In the memorandum, BJP has appealed that necessary measures should be taken to reduce the waterlogging at the Kaari storm drain as it poses problems to school-going children and travellers. 

Bhatkal BJP president Ishwar Doddamane, Parmeshwar Devadiga and others were present on the occasion.