On Monday, July 1, locals from Karambar staged a protest at the entrance of Mangaluru International Airport after runoff from the airport’s runway, exacerbated by heavy rain, damaged seven houses. Despite repeated pleas, the airport authorities and district administration have yet to address the residents’ concerns about waterlogging caused by the overflow from the runway.
Protesters also alleged that a private property owner in Karambar had blocked drainage flow by dumping large amounts of mud, worsening the situation. Residents of the seven affected houses are in dire straits, forced to live in waterlogged conditions with their ration supplies completely ruined.
Frustrated by the lack of response from the authorities, locals halted vehicles from entering the airport. Police intervened, cleared the blockade, and engaged in discussions with the protestors. Mangaluru North MLA Dr. Bharath Y Shetty visited the site to assess the situation and hear the residents’ grievances.
The locals are demanding that the deputy commissioner and tahsildar visit the site and provide a permanent solution to prevent future incidents.
