Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, March 4: Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao flagged off the upgradation of underground drainage (UGD) works in Mangaluru city at the Pacchanady Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) on Wednesday.

An amount of Rs 40 crore has been sanctioned to Mangaluru from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Environmental Compensation Fund to strengthen the sewerage system within Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) limits.

Accordingly, work on the upgradation of the Pacchanady STP, currently functioning under SBR (Sequential Batch Reactor) technology, to the advanced activated sludge process will be undertaken at a cost of Rs 6.87 crore.

Installation of bubble diffusers, air blowers, and control panels at the Bajal STP to improve efficiency will be carried out at a cost of Rs 3.22 crore. Construction of a new wet well at Attavar will be executed at Rs 3.33 crore.

Further, the upgradation of 8.20 km of main underground drainage pipeline in selected parts of Mangaluru city will be undertaken at a cost of Rs 16.13 crore.

Officials present at the event included MLC Ivan D’Souza, Mescom chairman Harish Kumar, and others.

Local MLA miffed over exclusion

Mangalore City North MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty expressed his displeasure at not being invited to the flagging-off ceremony. He said that the Rs 40 crore grant for the sewerage project was sanctioned under the Central Government’s Swachh Bharat Mission and the NGT fund, with the state government’s role limited to implementation.

“As the local MLA, the programme at Pacchanady should have been held in my presence. Due to the local Congress leaders, officials did not even inform me,” he alleged.

Dr Shetty warned that he would raise a breach of privilege motion against those responsible.