GUDIBANDE: Recent heavy rains have caused severe road deterioration around Yelakarallahalli, particularly affecting connectivity to Navilgurki village in the Kushavati watershed area. Flooding has washed away the culvert on this vital route.
The chain of hills surrounding Chikkaballapur taluk, including Mandikal and Avulabetta, has experienced significant rainfall, leading to increased water flow in the Kushavati river. As a result, the culvert has been swept away, isolating dozens of villages.
The main road linking Chikkaballapur to Gudibande town, passing through Mandikal and several villages under the Kammaguttahalli Gram Panchayat, has been rendered impassable by the river’s current. Thousands of vehicles relying on this route are now disrupted, forcing residents within a 4 km radius to take a lengthy 20 km detour.
Local residents attribute the road’s condition to the overload of granite-laden tippers and have called for immediate inspections and solutions from officials. Despite the MLA’s previous promise to construct a bridge at a cost of ₹3 crore, no progress has been made.
Residents and leaders from nearby villages, including Navilgurki, Jeeganahalli, and Rama Pattana, have urged officials to visit the site, evaluate the situation, and implement measures to restore traffic flow. They insist that Public Works Department officials must leave their offices and address the pressing issues on the ground.