The Hindu

• They should look at alternatives to meet their needs
• River water should be used primarily to meet domestic needs
• Treatment of sewage generated suggested

Mangalore, Jun 19: A strong case has been made for avoiding the use of river water byindustries in the district and in the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ).

At a felicitation programme organised by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) for elected representatives of Dakshina Kannada district here on Tuesday, KCCI members sought that industries be asked to avoid using river water, while Mangalore City South MLA N. Yogish Bhat suggested that the MSEZ too not become dependent on it (river water).

They suggested that the industries and MSEZ look at alternatives to meet their water requirements. They could set up desalination plants and also treat the 15 million gallons of sewage generated in the city, and use it for industrial purposes.

The chamber, in a memorandum addressed to district in-charge Minister J. Krishna Palemar, demanded that all new industries in the district compulsorily meet their water requirements through desalination process alone. The former KCCI president Subbayya Shetty, who presented the memorandum, said fresh water was becoming scarce in the district.

Growing pressure

Mr. Bhat said “river water should primarily be used to meet domestic needs,” he said and added that industrial water needs had to be met by other means.

Noting that the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. had come forward to maintain the sewage treatment plant of the Mangalore City Corporation, and utilise the treated water for its use, Mr. Bhat said the MSEZ should follow suit. “Treatment of sewage using the process of reverse osmosis is a norm in most advanced nations,” he said and added that companies should come forward to own and maintain such water treatment facilities. Receiving the memorandum on behalf of the Minister, Mr. Bhat said the Bharatiya Janata Party Government in Karnataka was committed to assuring food, health, education, and housing for the economically weaker sections of society. Mr. Bhat, who was a member of the party’s manifesto committee, said the BJP had incorporated these aspects in the manifesto and would implement it.

Mr. Bhat said steps had been taken to complete the process of issuing tenders for construction of the second and bigger dam at Thumbay to augment supply of drinking water to Mangalore. The State Government had passed an order providing Rs. 40 crore for the project, he said, adding that the work would be completed in the next two years. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa was convinced that the project had to be accorded priority, he said.

Former Minister B. Ramanath Rai, while reiterating that the elected representatives would strive for the collective good of their constituencies in general and the district in particular, stressed the need for greater social cohesiveness. Observing that all parties should be progressive, Mr. Rai said priority should be given to development.

The Mangalore (erstwhile Ullal) MLA U. T. Khader urged Mr. Bhat to impress upon Mr. Palemar the need to convene a meeting of officials and come up with a comprehensive strategy for development. Noting that there was no shortage of funds, he said the manner in which it would be utilised would decide the efficiency of the Government.