The issues of construction of illegal buildings and measures to preserve water in Baje Dam dominated the general body meeting of the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) here on Saturday.
M.R. Pai, Leader of the Opposition, sought to know how the CMC had allowed the construction of an “illegal building” in a central location like Kalsank Junction. “Was the former CMC Commissioner K. Srikanth Rao transferred because he wanted to demolish the building?” he asked. He was supported by other councillors.
Intervening, P. Yuvaraj, CMC Commissioner, conceded that the illegal construction came to the notice of the CMC late. “But there is no question of supporting any illegal building. I have directed the new CMC Commissioner D. Manjunathayya to take immediate action and demolish the illegal structure. No illegal buildings will be tolerated,” he said.
Mr. Rao had been transferred three months ago and was keen on taking up a new post. The Congress councillors had not sought his transfer, Mr. Yuvaraj said.
Mr. Manjunathayya said that he had asked the engineers from the Udupi Urban Development Authority (UUDA) to conduct a full survey of the illegal building at Kalsank. “Once the engineers give their report, the illegal portions of the building will be demolished,” he said.
Baje Dam
Dinakar Shetty, councillor, said that water in Baje Dam was depleting fast. But the CMC had not taken action to conserve water. One of the sluice gates of the Shiroor dam had broken, he said.
Mr. Yuvaraj said he had visited both dams a week back. Measures to put up a bund near Shiroor dam were on. The present stock of water in Baje dam would last for 120 days, he said.
Mr. Pai said that the BJP was opposed to the creation of Greater Udupi as the CMC suffered from staff shortage and was struggling to provide amenities to people living in municipal wards on the outskirts of the city.
The CMC decided to hold a meeting with district in charge Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake and Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA, to discuss this issue.
