Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Feb 1: Relating to the defiant stand taken by the owner of a residential complex here, who has been creating problems for the people by releasing effluents from the toilets in the building into the open drain that empties into River Netravati,  some locals have approached the court here seeking relief. In a public interest litigation, the court has served notices on the owner of the complex, Uppinangady gram panchayat, and chief executive officer of Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat, to present themselves in the court.

The residential complex concerned, owned by an individual, stands at Kote in the first ward of Uppinangady gram panchayat. It is said that at the time of constructing this building, no safety rules were followed, and even minimum amenities were not provided. The local panchayat had issued building licence and building number for this building.

After the people occupied houses in this complex, effluents from the toilets were released into the drain as a result of which the entire area was stinking. As this water also got mixed with River Netravati, it also resulted in pollution of water. Although locals complained to the deputy commissioner of the district, executive officer of the taluk panchayat and gram panchayat administration, there was no response. A complaint was also made to Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. The board had conducted spot inspection and instructed Uppinangady gram panchayat to take suitable action.

As the issue got neglected once again, local residents including U Krishna Kote filed public interest litigation in the court of the additional civil judge here, seeking restraint order against released of effluents into the public drain. The court has served notices on all the parties concerned, seeking proper responses to the allegations.