Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Jun 10: Karnataka Lokayukta filed a suo moto case against Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and Karnataka Industrial Area Development Authority for failing to contain discharge of industrial waste into Phalguni river.
Deputy Lokayukta K N Phanindra has asked concerned officials of the MCC, pollution board and KIADB to submit a report within 15 days. The case was filed based on media reports on June 4. DC of Dakshina Kannada is also asked to submit a report within 15 days of the order reaching the office.
Deputy Lokayukta mentioned that the waste that is flown into the river through underground drainage does not only affect the river creatures but also people and animals using the same water. Water of many wells in Panambur and Baikampady area is contaminated due to the industrial effluents that are discharged in Phalguni water.
Environmental officer had asked pollution control board member secretary to close down Patanjali Foods which is leaving untreated effluents to river Phalguni. This request was sent by environmental engineer B R Ravi in a letter dated May 31, 2023. But the pollution control board did not initiate any action.