It took three days for traders in the H.R.B Complex in the bustling Old Bus Stand area in Hampankatta to draw the attention of the Mangalore City Corporation authorities to attend to an overflowing sewage.
But they are still waiting for the corporation to clear the clogged drain running along the border of the complex.
It has been more than two years since traders, mostly operating from the cellar of the building, have been bearing with the seepage of waste water flowing in the clogged storm-water drain. They are affected by the stink with waste water stagnating at several points in the drain, providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
“Health department office is located next to our building and they know the problem. But action has not been taken against those discharging waste water into the drain,” said Ranjit Salian, who owns several shops in the building.
Prakash Hotel is also among the few establishments bearing the brunt. “We have to regularly clear the waste water collected at the cellar.
This waste water seeps from the retaining wall adjoining the drain,” says Jayakar Shetty, who runs the restaurant. “Three of our employees have just recovered from malaria,” he said.
The clogged storm-water drain runs along the border of the complex before passing by the buildings behind where a public toilet and Health Department office are located. This drain joins the main drain on K.S. Rao Road. “We have been facing the problem for nearly five years,” says Mohammed Hanif, who runs a flower shop in the building.
Mr. Hanif blames discharge of waste from restaurants and hotels on Light House Hill Road into the drain for the problem. “We have brought this to the notice of the former councillor Ranganath Kini and also to Mayor Gulazar Banu. But we have not seen any action on our pleas,” he added.
Ravindra D., who runs a stationery shop in the complex, said the stink from the clogged drain and the seepage prevented people from coming to his shops.
“It also becomes unbearable for us to sit in the evening because of mosquitoes,” he said. When it rains, the cellar will be filled with dirty water.
Reaction
Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner Harish Kumar said tender had been called for laying pavement and also a drain at a cost of Rs. 11 lakh.
“But we cannot go ahead because of the model code of conduct. Further process will start only after completion of civic elections,” he said.
