Mangaluru: January 29, 2026 — Even as public criticism mounts over the city’s faulty sewerage system, several residents raised serious complaints during a one-hour phone-in programme chaired by Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner and Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Administrator Darshan H.V. Citizens alleged that untreated sewage from flats and apartments is being discharged directly into stormwater drains, causing unhygienic conditions and severe inconvenience to the public.
Complaints on sewage discharge dominate phone-in programme
The phone-in programme was held at the Mayor’s chamber of the MCC and witnessed a range of grievances related to sewerage, underground drainage (UGD), water supply and civic infrastructure. Several callers pointed out that despite repeated complaints over the years, no effective action had been taken by the authorities.
Fr Stanley Pinto complained that sewage from nearby flats was being released into an open stormwater drain in front of a church in Ward No. 1 of Surathkal Mukka. He said complaints had been lodged two to three times earlier, but the issue remained unresolved. Highlighting the gravity of the problem, he pointed out that a bus stop is located close to the drain and thousands of children and citizens are forced to endure foul odour and unhygienic conditions while waiting for buses.
Mariyam D’Souza from Krishnapura alleged that sewage water was being regularly let into rainwater drains in her locality. She said the practice had become routine, posing health risks to residents, especially during the monsoon.
Long-pending UGD issues raised by residents
Subhashini Bhat from Yeyyadi complained that around 40 houses near Kadri Padavu had not been provided with an underground drainage system. Despite submitting representations for the past 20 years, no concrete action had been taken, she alleged.
Echoing similar concerns, Navin Baikampady said that the UGD system in Surathkal was highly inadequate. Residents, he said, had been submitting requests for the past 25 years seeking improvement and expansion of the sewerage network, but without any meaningful response from the authorities.
MCC action and awareness drive explained
Responding to the complaints, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. said that awareness must be created to ensure that flats and residential complexes do not discharge sewage into stormwater drains. He said the MCC had already launched an awareness campaign in this regard.
He stated that apartments have been directed to treat wastewater through sewage treatment plants (STPs) and that action was being taken against violators, including the imposition of fines. The MCC Commissioner has convened meetings with apartment associations and instructed them not to release sewage into stormwater drains. Apartments, he said, must develop their own solutions to manage wastewater responsibly.
The Deputy Commissioner further noted that in several parts of the city, the old sewerage infrastructure has deteriorated. To address this, a comprehensive proposal worth ₹1,200 crore has been submitted for the implementation of a new underground drainage system across the city.
Update on Ullal Hoige pedestrian bridge proposal
Replying to a query raised by Dalphy Vegas regarding the proposed pedestrian bridge connecting Ullal Hoige across the Netravati backwaters at Jappinamogaru, Darshan H.V. said that the Public Works Department (PWD) had submitted a proposal through the Parivesh portal seeking Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance.
He explained that approval from the Karnataka Coastal Zone Management Committee (KCZMC) is mandatory and a meeting in this regard is likely to be held in the first week of February. The work would be taken up only after obtaining the required CRZ clearance.
The pedestrian bridge had earlier served as a vital link for office-goers, students and daily-wage workers travelling between Ullal Hoige and the city. It provides the shortest route to National Highway 66 and easy access to private and government buses towards Mangaluru or Thokkottu.
Other civic issues highlighted
During the phone-in programme, citizens also raised concerns about chaotic parking, lack of proper footpaths, the need for speed breakers, painting of road humps, and covering open stormwater drains with slabs to prevent accidents.
MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Nayak, Revenue Officer Akshatha K., and senior officials from various departments were present and responded to several of the issues raised.
Water supply complaints and assurances
Separately, during an officials’ meeting on water-related issues held on January 29, residents flagged disruptions in water supply. Nithya from Simon Lane complained that several houses had not received water for the past two months and were forced to depend on private tankers.
Responding to the complaint, the Deputy Commissioner said water supply would be restored within three days by connecting the area to the Jalashree scheme network.
Hameed from Chokkabettu complained that despite the announcement of 24×7 water supply under the Jalashree scheme, his area received water only once every three days and that too for a few hours. Darshan H.V. attributed the issue to pressure problems in elevated areas and assured that officials had been directed to resolve it at the earliest.
Conclusion
Commenting on possible water shortages during the upcoming summer, the Deputy Commissioner said water supply remains a challenge due to population growth and an increase in commercial establishments. However, the existing supply status would be maintained for now. He added that a district-level meeting to discuss water-related issues would be held on Thursday, underlining the administration’s intent to address civic concerns raised by residents.