NECF expresses ire over sewage into Storm Water Drains

Gives 15 days time for MCC to solve the problem failing to which it would approach the Court

Mangaluru, Dec 04, 2020: These Storm Water Drains in Mangaluru City ‘flow’ throughout the year. The residents living next to these Storm Water drains have no other go but to bear the bad smell.

Thanks to the officials and corporators who have turned blind to the sewage water from the apartments joining these Storm Water Drains. Many had contacted their corporators and officials but in vain.

The National Environment Care Federation (NECF) has now taken up this issue.

NECF State Secretary Shashidhar Shetty has asked the officials to set things in order and also take action against the erring officials failing to which the activists would approach the court.

“Mangaluru is set to become Smart City. A few years ago MCC had takenup works worth crores (KUDCEMP). But this was done without proper future planning. As a result, we are seeing sewage water being allowed into the Storm Water Drain in atleast 18 places. This is a gross violation of National Green Tribunal and Court order,” Shetty told The Canara Post.

“When a builder comes for constructing an apartment, the Mangaluru City Corporation collects various fees including development charges and lake cess. But when the multistoried apartments are completed the sewage water is allowed into the nearby Storm Water Drain. This is because the Corporation does not have enough infrastructure. The existing drainage system is not capable to handle the sewage,” he said.

Shetty has given 15 days for the Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner to set things correctly.

“We have complained to the Commissioner and sent him the Supreme Court and Green Tribunal order which states that sewage water cannot be allowed into the Storm Water Drain. In 15 days the Commissioner should hold a meeting and tell the steps he would immediately take to solve the problem. If he fails we approach the Court. We want the Commissioner to take strict action against the erring officials,” he said.

It may be recollected that seeing such a problem in the city, Dr. Harish Kumar K during his term as the Commissioner of Mangaluru in 2011-13 had asked all the apartments to set up Sewage Treatment Plant. However, after his transfer, it has been placed in cold storage.