Nayana J C
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Jul 29: Residents and landowners of Tenka Yedapadavu in Dakshina Kannada have raised serious concerns over alleged improper drainage, soil dumping and land acquisition issues linked to the ongoing national highway project, claiming that agricultural land and crops worth crores of rupees have been severely damaged.
The affected landowners, particularly those associated with survey numbers 41/15 and 41/16, alleged that soil has been dumped to a height of nearly 20 to 30 feet along the highway corridor, obstructing the natural flow of rainwater from the surrounding hills.
According to them, the absence of an adequate drainage system has resulted in large quantities of rainwater and mud accumulating on their properties. Several acres of agricultural land, arecanut and pepper plantations, pump houses, and irrigation equipment have reportedly been damaged.
Speaking to the media, landowner John D'Souza alleged that the affected families have suffered a combined loss of more than Rs 2 crore. He said that water has remained stagnant around arecanut trees for nearly a month, raising fears that the trees may die and the current year's crop will be completely lost.
D'Souza alleged that residents had repeatedly requested the authorities and the contractor, Dilip Buildcon Limited (DBL), to open a proper drain, but claimed that no effective action had been taken despite repeated representations.
“We have been asking them for the past two months to open the drain. They keep saying it will be done, but nothing has happened,” he said.
He further alleged that around three-quarters of an acre of his property has been covered by mud, with soil piled up to nearly 15 to 20 feet. He claimed that his three-acre farm, pump house, arecanut trees, and pepper crops have been affected.
The residents also alleged that the highway construction involved cutting hills and dumping large quantities of soil without adequate retaining structures. According to them, they had earlier been assured that retaining walls would be constructed, but the work was allegedly carried out differently.
The affected families said they are not opposed to the national highway project but want the authorities to ensure proper drainage, access roads, and fair compensation for land and agricultural losses.
Another affected landowner, Sudarshan, said that the families had submitted written representations as early as March 2025 to the project director, national highways authorities, deputy commissioner, Yedapadavu gram panchayat and police, warning about the possibility of flooding during the monsoon.
He alleged that despite the advance warning, proper drainage and a service road were not provided.
According to Sudarshan, the highway has also left portions of their property effectively landlocked, preventing them from accessing their agricultural land and attending to their crops.
He said one of the affected properties had around 600 to 700 arecanut trees, while a neighbouring three-acre portion had approximately 2,000 arecanut trees. He alleged that crops, sprinklers, pump sets, and other agricultural infrastructure have been damaged due to waterlogging and soil deposition.
The residents also expressed concern over an electricity line allegedly being submerged in stagnant water, warning that it could pose a serious safety risk.
The landowners have also raised allegations regarding compensation and acquisition.
One of the affected families claimed that approximately 95 cents of land was lost, including 10 cents of converted land and 85 cents of agricultural land.
According to the family, the total compensation claimed for the land was around Rs 2.20 crore, while they alleged that only about Rs 1.60 lac was initially paid, with the amount including TDS being around Rs 1.71 lac.
They further alleged that compensation was not paid for additional land taken over during the project and that the actual extent of land utilised exceeded the area originally identified for acquisition.
The family also claimed that the dispute had reached court and that they had succeeded in an arbitration-related case before the district court. According to their statement, an order was issued directing payment within 60 days, but the matter was subsequently challenged before the high court.
The residents have also warned that any attempt to release the accumulated water without a scientifically designed drainage system could cause flooding in other parts of Yedapadavu village.
They alleged that the existing drainage arrangements are inadequate to handle the volume of water coming down from the surrounding hills.
The affected families have urged the deputy commissioner, NHAI authorities, project director and the concerned contractor to conduct an immediate spot inspection, establish a proper drainage system, prevent further soil sliding, and provide compensation for verified losses.
The residents stressed that they are not against development or the national highway project. However, they said that development should not come at the cost of people's homes, agricultural land, and livelihoods.
The affected families have now sought urgent intervention from the authorities, stating that continued heavy rainfall could worsen the situation and cause further damage to both private properties and the surrounding village.