Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru ( SB)
Mangaluru, Jan 10: "Last year we succeeded in storing water to a height of 5 meter in Thumbe dam and it helped us to avoid water scarcity in the city. With the help of district administration and concerned authorities, this year we have succeeded in getting approval to store water to a height of 6 meter in the dam. So this year also we will not face water scarcity," said Kavita Sanil, mayor of Mangaluru.
She was addressing the media at her office on Wednesday, January 10.
Continuing her speech the mayor said, "Tomorrow onwards we are starting to store water to a height of 6 meter in Thumbe dam. Due to the increase in height of water storage, 37 people of three villages have lost their agricultural land. The water is grabbing 50.88 acre of land which is situated in Sajipa, Pane Mangaluru and Bantwal Mooda villages. The cost of acquiring this land is valued at Rs 37 to 40 crore and the acquisition procedures are going on. Currently Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has taken this land on lease from the villagers. We are giving Rs 19 lac to the landlords per year as compensation.
"We have already acquired the land which is required for storage of 5 meter water. Government has already released Rs seven crore as compensation and have distributed the same to the landlords. In few cases the payment is pending because of some document issues. Once it is cleared the remaining landlords can collect their compensation."
"I am thankful to the district administration, District-in-charge minister and government authorities for their help and support on the water issue. Water scarcity was the main challenge I faced when I took charge as the Mayor of this city. But with the help of my team I resolved it and succeeded in giving enough water to the city. So this year there will not be any threat of water scarcity. I am happy on this issue." she added.
Giving warning against the convention and wedding halls she said, "We have noticed that there are many convention and wedding halls in the MCC limits that are functioning without trade licence. Many hall owners have not paid the commercial tax and not got their trade licences renewed. I will take strict action against the defaulters soon. We will put locks to these halls even in the midst of a programme that is going on."
Former Mayor, Shashidhar Hegde, corporator Sabitha Misquith were present.