Mangaluru: In a push towards transforming Mangaluru into a climate-smart, flood-resilient coastal city, KPCC member and former secretary S Mohanadass Hegde submitted a comprehensive masterplan titled ‘Mangaluru Flood-Free 2030: Pumpwell and Padil Underpass Resilience Initiative’ to district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.Hegde urged the state govt to declare Pumpwell and Padil, two of the city’s flash flood-prone stretches, as critical resilience zones (CRZ), citing the recurring nature of waterlogging and infrastructure failure in these areas. The strategic roadmap lays out an ambitious yet actionable vision to eliminate flooding at major underpasses by 2027, backed by real-time early warning systems, green infrastructure such as rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavements, and community-led disaster mitigation strategies, Hegde said.The plan proposes a budget of Rs 51.5 crore for phased implementation, with potential collaborations identified with Smart City Mission, KUIDFC, CSR partners, and academic institutions like NITK and KSNDMC.Hegde recommended the appointment of a Special MCC Task Force to fast-track the initiative and commissioning of a detailed project report (DPR) through NITK or IISc on priority. He also called for a city-wide hackathon in 2025 to crowdsource innovative urban flood solutions.He said that the initiative can serve as a model for urban flood management not just in Karnataka, but across India. “With coordinated action, Mangaluru could become a pioneering example of how cities can tackle the twin challenges of climate change and rapid urbanisation through integrated, tech-enabled, and participatory planning,” Hegde added.
