Angry locals stage protest against police department, authorities over road accidents in Mangaluru
Demand immediate removal of signal at Kankanady Junction, blame cops for death of woman on Thursday
Mangaluru: Locals in Mangaluru on Thursday staged a protest against the police department and local administration over their failure in administering and regulating traffic at key junctions in the city. The protest was staged after a 55-year-old woman died on the spot after being mowed down by a private bus at Bendoorwell Junction here.
Angry protesters threatened to block the Bendorwell Junction and Kankanady Junction if their demands of suspending the signal at Kankanady Junction, pasting Zebra crossing, and laying speed breakers were not met immediately.
The protesters, led by a few youngsters asserted that the signal at Kankanady Junction was unscientifically installed recently after the new police commissioner took charge. They also added that several road diversions and traffic regulations were undertaken unscientifically leading to rise in the number of accidents and deaths.
The death of the woman today was the second of its kind in less than a week. Earlier an 11-year-old kid died on the spot after falling off a two-wheeler after it was hit by a private bus.
“In order to escape the red light on Kankanady Junction, the private bus driver cruise through the Bendoorwell Junction without bothering about the pedestrians and two-wheelers here,” the protesters claimed, adding that the signal at Kankanady Junction should be immediately removed and the traffic should be managed manually by policemen.
"Nobody has come now to listen to our demands, not even the MLA. The same people will come begging for votes during the election and then they will not care about the grievances of the people. We are only demanding our safety, for how long we should be walking on the road with fear of being mowed down by a private bus in the city?" one of the protesters questioned.
"Only the police department and authorities are to be blamed for these deaths. We have seen six people dying at this junction alone in the last six months," they further added.
The protesters also demanded that the Police Commissioner visit the spot and look at their grievances. The top cop however supplemented his subordinates who reached the spot and tried to pacify the crowd.
Former MLA Moideen Bawa and others also reached the spot and extended support to the protesters and their demands. Bawa made several attempts to pacify the crowd, but they persisted with their demand to meet Police Commissioner at the spot. Bawa urged Police Commissioner to reach the spot but the latter expressed his inability to visit the spot due to his other engagements.
Bawa then arranged a meeting with Police Commissioner and returned to the spot. He added that the Police Commissioner and other top officials would come to the spot later at 6 pm as they were busy on election duty.
ACP Mahesh Kumar and other police officials were also present at the protesting site. Kumar noted all the demands of the protesters and assured them that their demands would be considered and appropriate measures will be undertaken. He however added that removing the signal from Kankanady Junction was not an appropriate solution to the problem.
The protesters also expressed their discontent with Police Commissioner failing to reach out to the people when they demand and asserted that being a public servant the top cop should have immediately reached the spot and paid heed to the grievances of the public.
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One-third of Karnataka’s coastal areas at risk of erosion: Report
Bengaluru: A recent study commissioned by the Karnataka government has revealed that 28% of the state's 328.55-km coastline is experiencing high levels of erosion. The report, submitted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management to the Environment Department, shows that the length of eroding stretches has more than doubled, from 43.7 km in 1990 to 91.6 km in 2024.
Titled Shoreline Management Plan Along Karnataka Coast, the report highlights the impact of increased sediment barriers and upstream activities on coastal erosion. It also calls for the adoption of nature-based solutions to counter the effects of climate change and human activities.
District-wise findings
The coastline of Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada spans 328.55 km, with varying levels of erosion across the districts:
Uttara Kannada: Although 28% of its 193-km coastline is eroded, the district accounts for 39% of the state’s total erosion due to increased coastal development.
Udupi: Despite 43% of the coastline being protected by seawalls, 38% remains affected by erosion, contributing to 32% of Karnataka's overall erosion.
Dakshina Kannada: The district’s 37-km coastline faces “critical” erosion, with 39% of its stretches severely impacted, including areas such as Uchil and Batapady.
The report warns that coastal erosion threatens habitations, estuarine environments, mangroves, mudflats, and fish landing areas.
Recommendations
Identifying 44 critical erosion zones, the report suggests:
1. Beach nourishment through sand replenishment.
2. Rehabilitation of sand dunes and bioshields.
3. Mangrove afforestation to stabilise coastlines and support fisheries.
The findings will inform the Karnataka-Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (K-SHORE) project, which prioritises nature-based solutions over hard approaches like seawalls. R Gokul, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, stated that the Rs 840-crore project will focus on mangrove planting, beach nourishment, and tackling plastic pollution. These measures aim to protect the coastline and boost the blue economy.
The report will also guide the Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority in reviewing coastal development proposals.
