‘Hotels, buildings releasing filth into Nandini river at Kateel’

Hotels and high-rise buildings in Kateel, a temple town, allegedly releasing sewage water to the Nandini (river) was highlighted at the council meeting of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat on Monday.

Eshwar Kateel, member from Kateel constituency, who raised the subject, alleged that people in Mannabettu, Ekkar, Soorinje and Chelya gram panchayats were supplied water through pipes from the “contaminated river”.

A test commissioned by Mannabettu Gram Panchayat at the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka at Surathkal sometime ago revealed that the river water was not fit for drinking, he claimed.

Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, said that people take bath in the river in Kateel and the same water was being used for temple.

Mr. Eshwar alleged that though Mannabettu Gram Panchayat brought this to the notice of taluk food safety officer who issued no objection certificate to the hotels and high rise buildings, no steps have been taken to prevent pollution of the river.

Responding to the apprehensions, the Executive Officer of Mangalore Taluk Panchayat said that the issue was before the court of the Assistant Commissioner.

At this point the MP questioned even if it was before the court there was no stay on taking action against the hotels and high-rise buildings. Some other members who supported Mr. Eshwar urged the panchayat to act against the violators.

The Chief Executive Officer of the zilla panchayat Thulasi Maddineni said she would visit Kateel on Tuesday in this regard.

She said that such hotels and buildings would be directed to release sewage to sceptic tanks.