Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Mar 17: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has issued a stern warning to residents, apartment owners, businesses, and industries against diverting rainwater into the underground drainage system. Violators will face legal action along with hefty fines, MCC commissioner Ravichandra Nayak stated in an official release.

Instances of rainwater being discharged into the sewage network have been observed in some areas. This has resulted in excess water overloading the drainage system, causing sewage to overflow from manholes, creating inconvenience for the public, the commissioner said.

Connecting rainwater to the underground drainage system is strictly prohibited. Any unauthorized connection from buildings to the sewage system or manholes must be immediately removed. MCC officials will conduct site inspections to identify such violations, and strict legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply, he warned.

If found guilty of diverting rainwater into the sewage system, property owners may face a fine of Rs 1 lac and up to six years in prison under the Pollution Control Act. Additionally, under the Environmental Protection Act, violators can be fined Rs 1 lac and face five years of imprisonment, Nayak cautioned.

First-time offenders will be fined Rs 5,000. If the unauthorized connection is not removed even after a notice, an additional fine of Rs 1,000 per day will be imposed. MCC may also disconnect the water supply of violators. The unauthorized connection will be removed by the corporation at the owner's expense, with an additional penalty of Rs 25,000.

Citizens who spot unauthorized drainage connections are urged to report them by calling 0824-2220306 or via WhatsApp at 9449007722. The MCC has appealed to the public to cooperate in maintaining a clean and safe city.

The MCC has also noted cases where sewage water is being discharged into storm-water drains. This contamination poses a serious health hazard to the public. Officials will inspect and take immediate action against such violations, the commissioner added.