Udupi: Upa Lokayukta B. Veerappa has expressed serious displeasure over the poor functioning of the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Nittur, which treats the sewage of Udupi city. During his district tour that began on February 26, he inspected the facility on the morning of February 27 along with officials from the City Municipal Council (CMC) and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
After inspecting the plant, Mr. Veerappa criticised both the CMC and the KSPCB for negligence and warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the poor maintenance of the facility.
Black, foul-smelling discharge despite treatment
The Upa Lokayukta noted that nearly ₹3 lakh had been spent on maintenance of the STP. However, despite undergoing six stages of treatment, the water being discharged from the plant remained black in colour and emitted a strong foul smell.
Expressing anguish, Mr. Veerappa said that the partially treated sewage is being discharged into the Arabian Sea through the Indrani rivulet, posing a serious threat to public health and the environment. “People are being made to consume poison indirectly,” he remarked, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Having inspected STPs in 18 districts across Karnataka, the Upa Lokayukta observed, “Nowhere have I seen such a non-functional STP like that in Udupi.” He described the condition of the plant as unacceptable and indicative of administrative apathy.
Direction to book cases against officials
Upset over the continued discharge of inadequately treated sewage, Mr. Veerappa directed that cases be booked against the officials concerned in the CMC and the KSPCB for alleged negligence. He stressed that regulatory authorities cannot turn a blind eye when environmental norms are being violated.
The STP was commissioned in 2010 by the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC). Officials informed that the plant is due for upgradation at an estimated cost of ₹30 crore. Although funds for the upgradation have reportedly been sanctioned, work has not yet commenced.
While CMC officials claimed that groundwork for the project had begun, lack of clarity and inadequate information provided during the inspection further irked the Upa Lokayukta. He questioned the delay in implementing the upgradation despite availability of funds.
Residents complain of contaminated well water
Following the inspection at Nittur, Mr. Veerappa visited Malpe, located downstream along the Indrani rivulet. Residents living on the banks of the rivulet complained that their well water has become contaminated due to the discharge of sewage.
Interacting with the Upa Lokayukta, a resident named Indira said that people earlier used to bathe in the Indrani, but now the water is too polluted even to step into. She alleged that the foul smell has made life difficult for families in the locality.
“As the water in our wells is contaminated, we are dependent on water supplied by the CMC. Even fish do not survive in the Indrani these days,” she said. She added that many residents suffer from asthma and other breathing problems due to the persistent stench. “In the evenings, we close our doors as the odour is unbearable,” she said.
Warning against administrative apathy
Taking serious note of the grievances, Mr. Veerappa warned officials that such apathy would not be tolerated. He emphasised that proper functioning of sewage treatment facilities is critical to safeguarding public health and protecting natural water bodies.
The inspection has brought renewed focus on environmental management and urban infrastructure in Udupi. With directives issued to initiate action against negligent officials and expedite the long-pending upgradation, residents now await concrete steps to restore the health of the Indrani rivulet and ensure safe living conditions.