Mangaluru: A service road near the Bikkarnakatte flyover on National Highway 73 has turned into an illegal dumping ground, causing inconvenience to commuters and residents and raising concerns over sanitation and public health.
The stretch, which serves as an important route within the city, has become a recurring dumping spot despite repeated efforts by the Mangaluru City Corporation to clear the accumulated waste. Residents say the problem has persisted for a long time, with garbage reappearing soon after each clean-up drive.
Garbage spreads across roadway
According to local residents, heaps of garbage have spread across nearly half of the road at certain points, making movement difficult for both pedestrians and motorists. Plastic waste, paper, food remnants and other discarded materials are scattered along the roadside, creating an unpleasant sight in the busy locality.
The problem has worsened with the onset of the monsoon. Rainwater mixing with decomposing waste flows onto the road, creating unhygienic conditions and increasing concerns about the possible spread of infections and diseases.
Residents said nearly a 50-metre stretch of the service road has been affected by the illegal dumping, causing inconvenience to thousands of people who use the route every day.
Residents suspect commercial establishments behind dumping
Locals suspect that waste generated by nearby hotels, shops and commercial establishments is being transported to the spot and dumped during the night. Much of the garbage is reportedly found packed in large sacks and black garbage bags, indicating organised disposal by unidentified individuals.
At the same time, residents allege that some people living in the area are also contributing to the problem by disposing of household waste at the site.
Some residents further suspect that garbage from houses, paying guest accommodations and hostels, including leftover food, is being dumped along the roadside, adding to the growing accumulation of waste.
They have urged the authorities to investigate the source of the dumping and take strict action against those responsible.
Lack of surveillance and poor lighting worsen issue
Residents pointed out that CCTV cameras earlier installed by the Mangaluru City Corporation to identify offenders are no longer functional or have reportedly gone missing. Although warning boards cautioning against illegal dumping remain in place, the absence of surveillance has made it easier for offenders to continue the practice.
The issue is compounded by inadequate lighting near the Bikkarnakatte railway overbridge. The area remains poorly illuminated during the night, creating conditions that allegedly allow dumping activities to take place during late-night and early-morning hours when there is minimal movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
Residents believe that improved street lighting and surveillance measures could play a crucial role in curbing illegal dumping and identifying violators.
Demand for immediate action
People living in the locality have called upon the Mangaluru City Corporation and other concerned authorities to intervene immediately and restore cleanliness in the area.
They have demanded regular monitoring, the reinstallation of CCTV cameras, improved lighting and stringent enforcement measures to prevent further dumping. Residents also want authorities to identify and penalise those responsible for turning the service road into an unofficial garbage dumping site.
With Bikkarnakatte being a busy and rapidly developing area, residents say maintaining cleanliness and ensuring proper waste management are essential for public health and the city’s image.