Expressing displeasure over waterlogging at Thokkottu junction on the service road of National Highway 66, Health and Family Welfare Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge for disaster management U.T. Khader on Sunday directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Public Works Department (PWD) to work together to resolve the issue.During a review meeting on disaster management and relief works, Mr. Khader turned to an official of the PWD and accused the department of allowing storm water to accumulate at the junction after completing the road-widening work between Thokkottu and Mudipu. “What is the use of four-laning the Thokkottu-Mudipu road? You have allowed water to flow to Thokkottu junction,” he said.“Sit with NHAI officials and resolve the issue. I do not want to hear about the problem again,” Mr. Khader told the PWD official. The Minister then turned to NHAI Project Director Abdulla Javed Azmi and accused NHAI of not solving the waterlogging problem at Thokkottu and Pumpwell junctions. “When motorists are paying the toll, they expect proper service from you,” he said.Responding to MLC Ivan D’Souza’s allegation that NHAI officials were not attending district-level review meetings, Mr. Javed said there were only two officials in his office, and it was difficult to oversee road works and attend all review meetings in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. “If you have a problem, put it in writing. The government will take it up with NHAI officials in New Delhi,” Mr. Khader said.Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Vinayak Narwadi Karbhari said that following the widening of NH 66, water was collecting in a drain close to a government school and anganwadi. “Due to waterlogging, mosquitoes were breeding, and it is a cause for concern,” Mr. Karbhari said.Mr. Khader asked officials to issue notices to sites and commercial establishments that allow mosquito breeding and cancel their licences if they fail to take corrective measures. Fogging machines in urban and rural areas should be used, and residents should be made to keep their surroundings free of mosquito breeding sites.Mangaluru City South MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath said the district administration had not taken steps to clear silt accumulated in river streams, which would result in inundation of areas along the river banks in Mangaluru if the rain continued heavily in the coming days. Deputy Commissioner H.V. Darshan said while port authorities were taking steps to carry out dredging in the sea, the Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Department had not taken action to remove accumulated silt from the riverbed despite repeated reminders. Mr. Khader directed the officials concerned to send the necessary proposal.On the animal birth control (ABC) programme for stray dogs, Mr. Darshan said the government was setting up an ABC centre in the dog shelter coming up in Bondantila. ABC centres were also proposed for Puttur and Bantwal taluks, he said.In response to Sullia MLA Bhagirathi Murulya’s demand for a regular doctor at the Primary Health Centre in Subrahmanya, Deputy Director of Health and Family Welfare H. Thimmaiah said he would hold talks with the Kukke Subrahmanya temple to provide a doctor and healthcare staff for the PHC. Published - July 05, 2026 09:23 pm IST