Mangaluru residents complain of sewage in stormwater drains, seek urgent action

Mangaluru residents complain of sewage in stormwater drains, seek urgent action

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 29, 2026: Even as public criticism mounts over the city’s faulty sewerage system, several complaints were raised during the one-hour phone-in programme chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, alleging that sewage from flats and apartments is being discharged into stormwater drains, causing severe inconvenience to residents.

The phone-in programme was held on Wednesday at the Mayor’s chamber of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), under the chairmanship of Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan H.V.

Fr Stanley Pinto complained that sewage from nearby flats is being released into an open stormwater drain in front of a church in Ward No. 1 of Surathkal Mukka. Despite lodging complaints two to three times, no action has been taken so far. A bus stop is located close to the drain, and thousands of children and citizens are forced to endure the stench and unhygienic conditions while accessing the bus stop, he said.

Mariyam D’Souza from Krishnapura complained that sewage water is being let into rainwater drains. Subhashini Bhat from Yeyyadi said that about 40 houses near Kadri Padavu have not been provided with an underground drainage (UGD) system. Despite submitting representations for the past 20 years, no action has been taken, she alleged.

Navin Baikampady pointed out that the UGD system in Surathkal is highly inadequate and that residents have been submitting requests for the past 25 years without any concrete response.

Responding to the complaints, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. said awareness needs to be created to ensure that flats and residential complexes do not discharge sewage into stormwater drains. The MCC has already launched an awareness campaign in this regard. Apartments have been directed to treat wastewater through sewage treatment plants (STPs). Action is being taken against violators, including the imposition of fines. The MCC Commissioner has also convened meetings with apartment associations and instructed them not to release sewage into stormwater drains. Apartments must develop their own solutions, he added.

He further stated that in some parts of the city, the old sewerage system has deteriorated, and hence a comprehensive proposal worth ₹1,200 crore has been submitted for a new underground drainage system for the city.

Replying to a query by Dalphy Vegas regarding the proposed pedestrian bridge connecting Ullal Hoige across the Netravati backwaters at Jappinamogaru, the Deputy Commissioner said that the Public Works Department (PWD) has submitted a proposal through the Parivesh portal seeking Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance. Approval from the Karnataka Coastal Zone Management Committee (KCZMC) is mandatory, and a meeting is likely to be held in the first week of February. The work will be taken up after obtaining CRZ clearance.

The pedestrian bridge had earlier served as an important link for office-goers, students and daily-wage workers travelling between Ullal Hoige and Mangaluru. The bridge provides the shortest route for residents to reach National Highway 66 and access private and government buses towards Mangaluru or Thokkottu.

During the phone-in programme, citizens also highlighted issues such as chaotic parking, lack of footpaths, the need for speed breakers, painting of humps, and covering open stormwater drains with slabs to prevent accidents.

MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Nayak, Revenue Officer Akshatha K., and senior officials from various departments were present.

Officials’ meeting on water issues on Jan 29

Nithya, who called from Simon Lane in the city, complained that several houses have not received water supply for the past two months and are forced to depend on private tankers. Responding to this, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. said that water supply would be restored within three days by connecting the area to the Jalashree scheme network.

Hameed from Chokkabettu also complained that although 24x7 water supply has been announced under the Jalashree scheme, water is supplied to his area only once every three days and that too for a few hours. The Deputy Commissioner said that water supply issues in certain elevated areas under the MCC limits are due to pressure problems and assured that the issue would be resolved. He directed officials to ensure that water is supplied to every household at the earliest.

Commenting on possible water shortages during the upcoming summer, he said that water supply remains a challenge due to population growth and an increase in commercial establishments. For now, the existing water supply status will be maintained. A meeting to discuss water-related issues across the district will be held on Thursday, he added.