Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jan 26: The water of Phalguni river that flows in the vicinity of Gurpur near here has turned black in colour. In some areas, dead fishes are found floating on the surface. In addition, water from wells on river basin in areas like Ulaibettu, near the bridge, Karamogaru and Yethmogaru is polluted.

The water of holy water well of Ujjaini of Sri Mahakaleshwara God of Golidadiguthu is completely polluted from Saturday, January 23. Locals suspect that this must be the affluents with chemicals that are let into the river by factories on the side of Malavoor dam.

Drinking water for gram panchayats of Gurupur, Kandavara, Ganjimutt and Paduperara is being supplied from Phalguni river. Though people representatives and panchayat officials say that the drinking water is purified before supplying it to a pipeline of panchayat limits, the water is directly sent to the pipeline without purification as the water treatment plant is not working properly. Locals say that the water supplied is not potable.

Gadikara of Golidadiguthu Vardhamana Durgaprasad Shetty says that he has informed the matter via phone to tahsildar, Gurupur Nadakacheri, deputy tahsildar and Gurpur PDO. Some gram panchayats are getting drinking water from the Phalguni river under the drinking water project. But if the situation is like this, how can people drink water? questioned Shetty.

Vehicle drivers who pass on the bridge which is across the river, throw garbage and material used for pooja into the river. Tons of plastic is accumulated below the pillars of the bridge due to this reason. In addition, waste is also flowing on the surface of the river. Locals are urging local administration, police and concerned departments to take action against this menace.

Deputy tahsildar Shivaprasad and revenue inspector Navaneeta Malava visited the spot on the morning of Monday, January 25 as per the complaint filed by locals.

Earlier, the wastewater of MCC limits which used to be supplied for the use of Pilikula biological park is being flown into Phalguni river now through Pacchanady and Manjalpade. The administration of Pilikula refused to take the untreated water from MCC. That is why it is being released into the Phalguni river. Public staged a protest against this at Moodushedde earlier.

Deputy tahsildar Shivaprasad says, "Except river basin, the water of the river is clear in other parts. The local holy water well is polluted. I will report about this to the tahsildar. Small Irrigation department officials have to inspect the quality of water."