Ramanagar accident: Fourth victim dies in Bengaluru hospital; people demand action against guilty
Ramanagar: A girl who had been grievously injured in an accident at Gollaradoddi in the taluk, where a goods vehicle hit children on August 9, died at the Indira Gandhi Hospital in Bengaluru on Sunday night, being the fourth victim of the accident.
The deceased girl has been identified as Jnanavi, who was a Class 1 student and the second daughter of Rajanna and Shanthamma, who were residents of a village in Ramanagar district. Her elder sister Shalini, aged nine years, had died on the day of the accident.
Two other children have died in the incident, which is said to have been the result of the goods vehicle driver's negligence.
ALSO READ: Idol of war hero General Thimayya falls off as KSRTC bus hits structure in Madikeri
Five children were returning home at night on August 9 after attending tuition and were crossing the road at Gollaradoddi when the speeding goods vehicle hit them. Two children, five-year-old Rohit and Jnanavi's elder sister Shalini died on the spot. Three other children, who had been grievously injured, were admitted to the Ramanagara Hospital for treatment, before being shifted to a hospital in Bengaluru. Suchit, a Class 5 student, had been seriously injured in the head and was being treated at the BGS Hospital in Bengaluru, but he died after battling for life for a week.
The locals have staged an intense protest against the continued loss of life due to the accident at Gollaradoddi. They placed her body in the middle of the road in the village and gathered around it in protest. Some of the protesters also set tyres on fire, all of them demanding that the goods vehicle driver be punished severely for taking lives of children. "The elected representatives and officers should meet the families of the deceased children and provide them relief for the loss," the people have urged during the protest.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
