Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Mar 1: The residents of Ambela house near Yeyyadi are outraged against elected representatives after the well water turned unfit for drinking due to a drainage issue.

As many as 15 houses are dependent on well water as they have not been a beneficiary of the MCC water connection. Work on the drainage is being carried out at a snail's pace. The well water that was being used by 15 houses was found completely contaminated and unfit for drinking. The residents are now struggling to get good drinking water.

The residents of Ambela house alleged that mayor Jayanand Anchan who is himself the corporator of the region and MLA Vedavyas Kamath have not responded to their complaints and have failed to take any initiative in resolving the issue.

The residents have been facing drinking water problem since over a month and they also alleged that the MCC sends water through tankers which is not enough to meet the requirements of all as there are many women and young children among them.

The residents have also threatened that they will lay siege to the residences of the mayor and MLA if their problems are not resolved soon. They have demanded measures to flush out contaminated water from the well and provide for a temporary water connection and also complete the drainage work at the earliest.

Speaking to daijiworld.com, resident Vani Shetty said, "During elections, every elected representative visits our houses to seek blessings with due respect. After they get elected, they don’t turn back to resolve the residents’ problems."

Resident Amitha Shetty alleged that the authorities have installed duplicate pipes that connect with the drainage which are likely to create some problems in the future. “Drainage work should be completed in the next two months but the authorities are taking a longer time to complete it. We are facing severe problems with regard to water and drainage issues. Our well water is also contaminated. The elected representatives have turned their backs in resolving the issues. Children and residents are facing health issues due to the water consumption. If our problems are not resolved then we will gherao residences of the MLA and mayor,” she said.

In his clarification, mayor Jayanand Anchan said, "The work near Ambela house has been undertaken and work is going on. Due to some technical issues, the work might get delayed. With regard to the contaminated well water, till today water through tankers has been provided to the residents. Once the drainage work is completed, measures will be taken to flush out the well water. We assure them the work will be completed at the earliest. As per my directions, officials have visited the spot and inspected the problems which will be resolved at the earliest."