Sewage flows on to pollute Gujjarekere in Jeppu

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 08 2019: Flowing sewage from a six-storeyed apartment and individual houses in Jeppu continue to join the historic Gujjarakere,  the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) is making all efforts to plug the flow of sewage into the tank here.

Residents of the area, who are battling against the polluting sewage  are a worried lot over the flagrant direct discharge of sewage into open drains that join the lake.

A person from Gujjarakere Teertha Samrakshana Samiti, which has been fighting for restoration of the lake, said that it is an irony to see untreated sewage flowing directly with continuing force.

“Apart from the new apartment, sewage from a few houses in the area and from the Jeppu Market is flowing directly into the water body,  polluting Gujjarakere and also the open wells in the area,” said one person.

Another resident who lives near the Gujjarakere, showed waste accumulated in the open well on her premises.  “This well has been in this state for the last 10 years. There is no change in the condition of our well that was a good source of drinking water for three houses inside our compound wall,”  said a lady.

To prevent leakage of sewage from the old underground sewage network into the lake, the corporation started work in October 2016 to lay a new line at a cost of Rs. 3 crore. According to sources, the contractor has completed more than 80 % of the work. “We have to lay a pipeline from Morgan’s Gate to P.L. Colony. We have to connect the new line from three points, including the place from where residents are saying there is discharge of untreated sewage,” an official said.

When Bolar councillor Rathikala pointed out the stoppage of work by the contractor in the meeting of the corporation council on December 26, 2018, corporation Commissioner Mohammed Nazir assured her of recommencement of work in a week. He also said that the work will go on even if the term of the present council came to an end in March and the State government holds  elections.