Bhatkal: Road widening and concrete construction work near Shamsuddin Circle, along Sagar Road and Bunder Road, is progressing rapidly, prompting the implementation of one-way traffic at several junctions. While initial construction began on the right side of the road, the work has now shifted to the left, further constraining the already limited space for vehicles and pedestrians.
Sagar Road is among Bhatkal’s busiest and most vital thoroughfares, home to key institutions such as the Government Hospital, Block Education Office, KSRTC depot, police and forest quarters, multiple colleges and schools, as well as a temple and mosque. As a result, it experiences heavy and continuous vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
However, the presence of illegal stalls constructed directly over stormwater drains has severely compromised the drainage system. During the monsoon season, clogged drains prevent rainwater from flowing properly, leading to severe waterlogging around Shamsuddin Circle—the junction where Sagar Road, Bunder Road, and two segments of National Highway 66 converge. Water often accumulates to knee level, forcing pedestrians to wade through it and causing highway traffic to halt for hours. Residents report that this has become an annual crisis, worsened by encroachments and lack of enforcement.
Locals warn that unless illegal structures and encroachments between Shamsuddin Circle and Hospital Cross are removed immediately, the area could face increased risks of accidents or even public unrest.
The issue extends beyond Sagar Road. Similar scenes are reported on Bunder Road and other areas in town. Many temporary stalls have been transformed into semi-permanent structures with stone foundations and tin roofs. Alarmingly, some of these unauthorized constructions have been provided with electricity connections, raising questions about how illegal setups are receiving power while law-abiding citizens continue to struggle with HESCOM’s stringent documentation requirements.
These encroachments pose not only traffic and sanitation challenges but also serious safety and law enforcement concerns. Several stalls are allegedly being used for the sale of illicit liquor and gambling. Empty liquor bottles are frequently found along paths used daily by school and college students. During a drain cleanup on Sagar Road last year, municipal workers recovered hundreds of liquor bottles—highlighting the gravity of the problem.
Bunder Road reflects a similar situation, with reports of illegal liquor sales and gambling activities. Public urination near the Eidgah wall—a site of religious importance—has also been reported, sparking fears that such incidents could trigger communal tension if not addressed swiftly.
Despite the seriousness of these concerns, there has been little to no visible action from municipal authorities, the police, the Public Works Department (PWD), or the National Highways Authority. Local social organizations have also remained notably silent.
Residents are now calling for urgent, coordinated intervention from all relevant government departments to remove illegal encroachments and restore safe, clean, and obstruction-free public roads and spaces across Bhatkal.