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Former MLA demands comprehensive water scheme for Mangaluru


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 27, 2018 : Former MLA N Yogish Bhat has urged the ADB and Jalasiri officials to implement comprehensive water scheme, while implementing Phase II of the ADB-funded project in Mangaluru.

 

yogish 27 feb 18

Briefing reporters on Tuesday, he said that although 160 MLD water is being pumped from the Thumbe vented dam, about 50 MLD was lost before it reached Mangaluru, due to illegal water connections on the main pipelines. "A 610-km pipeline lain, drawing fund from ADB, could not be fully utilised as a purified water connection is not given to the pipeline. As a result, drinking water is wasted at 35 locations. If pipelines are laid fully to all the 1 lakh households and meters are installed, then drinking water can be supplied 24X7 to the citizens of Mangaluru," he opined.

Bhat said that he, along with BJP corporators, had already urged the ADB Jalasiri officials to carry out a comprehensive drinking water supply scheme.

 

Delay in work

He said, "Out of the Rs 410-crore ADB-funded project, the first package of work to lay a main pipeline from Kudroli wetwell to Kavoor sewage treatment plant at an estimated cost of Rs 93 crore was sanctioned in August 2017. In spite of giving the work order, the contractor has not started the work. The delay in the work makes one wonder over the corruption. The government itself will be responsible for delay in the work."

On the loopholes in the UGD works taken up in the Phase I of the ADB-funded project, he demanded a thorough probe into the works. "Action should be taken against those who were responsible for the poor works. During an inspection, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and his team found sewage being directly let into the open drains without reaching the treatment plants owing to faulty in the system," he pointed out.


Planetarium

On the claim of MLA J R Lobo that the Swami Vivekananda 3D planetarium is his achievement, Bhat said that it was former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa who had sanctioned Rs 11 crore for the planetarium. "The BJP government issued an order to name the planetarium after Swami Vivekananda to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. When I demanded a 3D planetarium, the BJP government released Rs 13.5 crore to make a study on 3D technology. Later, Yeddyurappa sanctioned Rs 24.5 crore for the planetarium," he reminisced.

He said Lobo should give details on the visits of officials and Lobo to America, Japan, China, Singapore to study the 3D planetarium. There is a need to give details on the selection of contractors, tender process, extra payment made to the building contractors and other electronic material suppliers.

Further, Bhat alleged that the plaque of former chief minister Jagadish Shettar laying foundation for Swami Vivekananda planetarium and inaugurating Guthumane in Pilikula was missing. "What kind of politics is this? Even after releasing the grant for the work, why was there a need to remove the plaque? Had the work been initiated soon after the Rs 24.5-crore was sanctioned, the escalated amount for completing the planetarium project could have been avoided," he said.



courtesy:DHNS