Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 4: The state high court has shifted the responsibility of testing the water flowing into River Phalguni and Maravoor dam from Pacchanady solid waste landfill unit, to central pollution control board instead of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The order entrusting the work to IISc was passed after the high court came to know that the water flowing into the river from where drinking water needs of the city are being met, had poisonous substances.

A public interest litigation filed in this regard by Karnataka State Legal Services Authority came up for hearing before a division bench of the high court presided over by Chief Justice, Rituraj Awasthi.

During the hearing, additional advocate general Djhyan Chinnappa, who is representing Mangaluru City Corporation in the case, said that as per the court order, a letter was addressed to IISc director asking him to test the quality of water and furnish a report. He said a reminder was sent to IISc on November 17, seeking to hurry through the work. On November 29, IISc, through an email, said that collection of water samples from three spots in Maravoor dam costs about ten lac rupees, and for furnishing a report on water quality, will totally entail an expenditure of about Rs 20 lac.

The bench, reacting to this, commented that this money can better be used to dispose of waste accumulated over many years. It passed an order giving the responsibility of testing the water quality to the central pollution control board and adjourned the hearing to January 18, 2022.