Mangaluru: Legislative council member Ivan D’Souza raised serious concerns about the contamination of water being supplied to the city, citing the poor functioning of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). “The water sources are polluted due to STP negligence, and despite repeated complaints to the mayor and council debates, no action has been taken. Left with no choice, we formed our own committee, conducted an investigation, and submitted the findings to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his recent visit,” he stated at a press conference.
D’Souza revealed that the report was also handed over to the new municipal commissioner, urging an immediate inquiry into the issue. He emphasized that action must follow the complaints.
He proposed transferring STP maintenance in Pachchanadi, Bajal, and the central region to MRPL to ensure efficiency and cost savings. Highlighting the central STP’s failures, D’Souza explained that untreated water from the facility is polluting nearby water bodies, including streams and ponds in Khandige. This has disrupted the annual fishing festival and poses significant health risks.
Responding to criticism of past administrations, he remarked, “During our tenure, ponds were accessible for washing and fishing. Now, they are unusable, and the blame lies with the current administration.”
He warned of intensified protests if immediate action isn’t taken. “Thirteen staff are paid to manage the central STP, yet none are present. With no generator for power outages, the facility remains inoperational. Each STP costs ₹1.5 crore annually, totaling ₹4.5 crore for three STPs. This negligence cannot continue.”
The conference was attended by Anil Kumar, Naveen D’Souza, Ashraf, Lancelot Pinto, Naveen Chandra Alva, Shashidhar Hegde, and others.
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