Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 20: “The water being supplied to the city is polluted. Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are contaminating the water sources, leading to the supply of impure water to residents. Despite raising this issue with the mayor twice and even conducting a debate in the council, no action has been taken. The administration has failed to constitute a fact-finding committee. Hence, we formed our own committee and conducted an investigation. A report of our findings was submitted to chief minister Siddaramaiah during his recent visit to Mangaluru,” said legislative council member Ivan D’Souza during a press conference.
Ivan D’Souza stated that the report has also been submitted to the new municipal commissioner, urging an inquiry.
He added, “We will not rest after filing a complaint. We will investigate whether our claims are true or false. The maintenance of the STPs in Pachchanadi, Bajal, and the central region should be handed over to MRPL, which would not only reduce maintenance costs but also ensure clean drinking water for Mangaluru residents. The central STP is not purifying water, causing contamination of water bodies such as streams and ponds near Khandige. This pollution has affected the annual fishing festival held there, and entering the water now poses a risk of severe infectious diseases.”
Addressing criticism of previous administrations, D’Souza said, “When questioned, they ask if this situation existed during our tenure. Yes, during our time, people used to wash clothes and fish in the ponds. Now, accessing these water sources is impossible. Who is accountable for this deterioration?”
D’Souza warned of protests if the central STP is not operationalized soon. “Thirteen staff members are being paid salaries for managing the central STP, but none are present. There is no generator to ensure operations during power outages. Each STP costs Rs 1.5 crore annually, amounting to Rs 4.5 crore for three STPs. Is this their achievement? If immediate action is not taken, we will intensify our protests,” he warned.
The press conference was attended by Anil Kumar, Naveen D’Souza, Ashraf, Lancelot Pinto, Naveen Chandra Alva, Shashidhar Hegde, and others.