Mangaluru: Continuous heavy rain over the past two days led to the collapse of a 100-meter portion of the 4th Mile Road beside the stormwater drain in Bangrakulur on Tuesday, cutting off direct road access to about 10 houses. This stormwater drain, which receives heavy monsoon flow from Kottara, Kodikkal, and Akash Bhavan, empties into the Phalguni River at Dambel. The affected road also leads to an engineering college.
Bangrakulur corporator Kiran Kumar stated that residents had reported cracks on the road a week ago, prompting the placement of sandbags to prevent four-wheelers from using it. Three days ago, eight electricity poles were shifted as a precaution. “This morning, locals called to report that the cracks had worsened, and by the time I arrived, about 100 meters of the 350-meter road had partially collapsed,” Kumar said.
As a temporary measure, residents have been given access through an alternative road from Kodikkal 10th Cross. Kumar has requested the college authorities to allow public passage through the college campus to ensure access. He noted that the retaining wall, constructed with stones about two decades ago, had weakened due to the constant water flow.
The city corporation commissioner visited the site, and Mayor Sudheer Shetty Kannur, along with MLA Bharath Shetty, has requested the construction of a concrete retaining wall and road for the collapsed section once the weather improves, to prevent further deterioration.
