Deralakatte, off Mangaluru, appears to be in contrast with a host of medical and allied colleges teaching health and hygiene on the one hand and on the other, open discharge of untreated domestic sewage becoming a health hazard for the residents of the locality.
Thursday’s incident of traces of petrol and diesel found in two disused open wells in Kanikere near Deralakatte has exposed the absence of a proper drainage system in the village thereby polluting underground water and natural water streams.
Open wells belonging to Usman and K. Ismail were initially polluted by seepage of untreated sewage collected in two large pits and later, got deposits of petrol and diesel too recently.
Kanikere residents accuse five residential/commercial complexes of letting sewage into the pits even as they showed on Friday a network of pipes laid to discharge sewage to a natural stream and also to an abandoned well.
“On several occasions, in the night, sewage is discharged to the roadside drains,” said Abdul Aziz, a resident of Kanikere.
12 years
According to Subramanya Bhat, a retired employee of a cooperative society, untreated sewage is being discharged for the last 12 years. “We sold part of our land on a higher elevation to a local businessman who built two huge pits to collect waste water,” said Mr. Bhat, regretting his action as the natural pond in his farm downhill got polluted six years ago following seepage from these pits.
“Enough representations were made to local Belma Gram Panchayat but in vain,” rued Mr. Bhat, who is part of the group of residents led by Mr. Ismail that is fighting pollution of water bodies for the last five years. Around 400 residents are affected by water pollution, he said.
Gunaje Ramachandra Bhat, a retired high school teacher, whose house is close to the overflowing sewage pits, said that the stink has made his life miserable. “We are forced to close all windows,” said Mr. Bhat. He is also concerned over mosquito bites and infections.
Action proposed
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Selvamani R. told The Hindu that apart from Belma Gram Panchayat, open discharge of untreated sewage is seen in a few other parts of the district. “I have personally visited three places near Mudipu. I have also heard of untreated sewage being let into the river,” he said.
Mr. Selvamani said that directions are being issued to panchayats not to give permission for construction of multi-storeyed buildings that do not have sewage treatment plants. He said that panchayats that have already given permission will be asked to take steps to prevent discharge of untreated sewage.
