mangalore today

MCC supplied untreated water for 2 months: Abdul Rauf


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 14, 2020:  At the first council meet of newly elected corporators held on Thursday, Congress leaders attacked the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) for allegedly supplying untreated drinking water to over five lakh people in the city for more than two months.


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The issue was brought to the notice of the mayor by opposition leader Abdul Rauf who said the officials did not ensure enough stock of lime, which is a major chemical component used in the treatment of water.

“Lime is the most effective alkaline product used in the treatment of water. It is used to adjust the pH level of water by neutralising the acidic content. Acidic water with pH level less than 6.5 is more likely to be contaminated and drinking such water may cause major health hazards. Despite this proven scientifically, the MCC officials did not consider using lime for the treatment of water at its two plants in Thumbe, where water is lifted from Nethravati river. We have visited the plant on Monday and found from the documents they have not used lime to treat the water before being supplied to Mangaluru city for more than two months,” said Rauf and demanded an inquiry into the issue.

Further, he said, “A tender approved to procure chemicals from a company was cancelled for reasons unknown. Later, MCC issued an order to procure alum (water purifier) and lime from a Bengaluru-based company after we visited the plant. They have been ignoring the health of lakhs of people in the city.”

Mayor Divakar from the BJP initially decided that a senior official may conduct inquiry, but the opposition refused to accept it. Finally, the mayor directed MCC commissioner Dinesh Kumar to conduct an inquiry and submit a report immediately.

The council meet also decided to hold a survey of land reserved for pourakarmikas (civic workers) at Pachanady. Recently, a delegation of Congress leaders had alleged that the land reserved to be distributed to civic workers have been encroached. Officials informed that an FIR has been registered in connection with the encroachment of 9.38 acre land at Pachanady. 


courtesy:TOI