ADVERTISEMENT

Take immediate measures to prevent sewage flow into rivers in Mangaluru, District Secretary tells DC

Updated - August 15, 2023 11:52 am IST - MANGALURU

L.K. Atheeq promises to revive the River Festival along Phalguni banks and institutionalise it

Additional Chief Secretary to Government (Finance) and Dakshina Kannada District in-charge Secretary L.K. Atheeq interacting with reporters along with Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan and Zilla Panchayat CEO K. Anandh on Monday, August 14, in Mangaluru. | Photo Credit: ANIL KUMAR SASTRY

Additional Chief Secretary to Government (Finance) and Dakshina Kannada District in-charge Secretary L.K. Atheeq on Monday, August 14, asked Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan to immediately draw up a status report on measures preventing raw sewage flow into rivers around Mangaluru.

ADVERTISEMENT

Interacting with reporters here, he was responding to a suggestion on the need to contain sewage flow into Phalguni (Gurupura) and Netravathi, particularly from Mangaluru City Corporation limits. The National Green Tribunal to has asked the State government to fund the expenditure towards preventive measures, he said expressing serious concern over river pollution.

Swimming pool

Mr. Atheeq, who is also the chairman of Mangaluru Smart City Ltd. (MSCL), said the Yemmekere Swimming Pool and the Wenlock Surgical Blocks were almost ready for inauguration. District in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had suggested procuring new surgical equipment instead of using the old ones that may take some time, he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Netravathi Riverfront Promenade would just be a walking path and he has asked officials concerned to use only environment-friendly material, like brick tiles etc., instead of cement concrete during construction. The government would get CRZ clearance soon, Mr. Atheeq said. The Blue Flag Beach work at Tannirbhavi was nearing completion, he added.

Once the Sulthan Bathery-Tannirbhavi hanging bridge across Phalguni river was built after obtaining CRZ clearance, Bathery surroundings too would be developed by MSCL.

Of the ₹1,000 crore proposed investment into Smart City works, about ₹750 crore works were either completed or under progress, he added.

Tourism Development

Upon being told about providing basic tourism infrastructure at beaches, including roads and toilets, the Secretary responded positively and said immediate efforts would be made in that regard. DC Muhilan said the administration would shortly draw up a tourism calendar for the district and implement it. Both Mr. Atheeq and Mr. Muilan said the River Festival along Phalguni banks at Kuloor would be revived and institutionalised.

Regarding women self-help groups restricting their activities to money lending, Mr. Atheeq asked Zilla Panchayat CEO K. Anandh to strengthen National Rural Livelihood Mission and offer self-employment generating activities to SHGs, including running canteens etc.

This is a Premium article available exclusively to our subscribers. To read 250+ such premium articles every month
You have exhausted your free article limit.
Please support quality journalism.
You have exhausted your free article limit.
Please support quality journalism.
The Hindu operates by its editorial values to provide you quality journalism.
This is your last free article.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT