DHNS
 
Mangalore, Aug 17: Five among the 130 most pollutant industries of State are in Mangalore as per a report from the State Pollution Control Board, said Minister for Environment and Microbiology J Krishna Palemar. 
 
Addressing media persons after inaugurating newly installed sewage treatment plant at Pacchanady on the outskirts of the city on Saturday, he said these industries have been identified as the most pollutant among the industries listed out by the Board in 17 different categories.

The minister said an expert committee would soon examine the extent of pollution the industries were causing in the region, and if the report was proved to be right, government would take stringent actions against them. “As on now, Dakshina Kannada has a good environment and we don’t need pollutant industries any more,” he stressed. Officials should pay surprise visits to these industries and verify the facts, he said. Answering a query, the minister said as many as 3,000 trucks, transporting mines, come to New Mangalore Port on a daily basis, which will be reduced by 1,000 numbers once the goods train service between Mangalore and Bellary commences.

Rs 15.88 crore plant

The new sewage treatment plant inaugurated on Saturday, has been constructed at an expenditure of Rs 15.88 crore. Mayor Ganesh Hosabettu said tender has been invited from private companies to handle the plant.
“Once a private agency takes up the responsibility, it will manage all affairs from door-to-door garbage collection to final treatment. Till then, the Mangalore City Corporation will handle the plant,” he said. 
 
MLA N Yogish Bhat, Deputy Mayor Shakeela Kava, Commissioner Sameer Shukla and KUDCEMP officials were present on the occasion.