The National Institute of Technology, Karnataka (NIT-K), Surathkal, in its preliminary report on encroachment of large storm-water drains or raja kaluves on the highway side in the city has suggested removal of weeds in the Bangra Kulur area for preventing flooding in Kottara Chowki, according to Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil S.
To a question at a press conference here on Thursday, he said that it has identified growth of weeds in Bangra Kulur as one of the reasons for flooding. Dredging would be taken up by Mangaluru City Corporation.
NITK has not made it clear when the final report would be submitted.
The district administration would remove those structures that are encroachments on raja kaluves after the NITK submitted the final report.
The district administration will file a caveat in the jurisdictional court before taking up the demolition drive.
Referring to media reports on the fast decreasing water level in major rivers in the district, the Deputy Commissioner said that he has asked Karnataka Engineering Research Station (KERS) to study the ground reality and submit a report. Whether it is an unusual development will have to be ascertained. It is not clear whether it is related to storing water in vented dams by hydel power projects before starting power generation.
Sand extraction
He said that permission has been given to extract sand from nine blocks in non-coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) areas in the district for supplying sand to government projects and building low cost houses for the poor. In addition, permits have been issued to extract sand from two more blocks in non-CRZ areas for supplying it to the general public.
The government is now promoting use of M sand, he said.
Referring to pollution of the Phalguni or Guruprua near Malavoor, he said that the basic problem lies in the choice of location for constructing the vented dam across the river at Malavoor which comes in the way of tidal activity. There is also a need to build sewage treatment plants to treat water from three nullahs that join the river.
