Rectify missing links in sewer lines: MCC members

UGD network in Old Mangaluru areas poor, says MLA

The corporators of Mangaluru have demanded that the missing links in the sewer lines implemented under the first phase of the ADB-funded project be rectified.

The members of the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) have urged the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd (KUIDFC) MD Ponnuraj to undertake the rectification before going a head for the second phase of the project.

Speaking at a meeting convened under chairmanship of Mayor Harinath, in the Ponnuraj here on Tuesday, the corporators said that, according to a joint survey report by the (Karnataka Urban Development and Coastal Environment Management Plan) KUDCEMP and the MCC, the missing link was due to issues related to availability of land, and rock formation in sites coming in the way of linking pipelines. The KUDCEMP officials had abandoned the linking work at several locations in the city in the first phase of the work. As a result, the work taken up in the first phase has failed to put into use, they complained.

MLA J R Lobo said that first phase of the ADB-funded project of laying underground drainage (UGD) lines and drinking water pipelines was taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 380 crore. The UGD network in the Old Mangaluru areas was in poor condition with many inspection chambers (manholes) collapsing. The fund under the AMRUT scheme will be used to replace the old network with new ones.

There is a need to use the available water from Lakhya dam to supply water to Suratkal area. The old pipelines in the old Municipality area needs to be strengthened to cater to the needs of the people. The KUIDFC consultant should discuss the plan with each and every corporator before finalising the DPR, instructed the legislator.

Leader of Opposition in the Council Sudheer Shetty said that the sewage treatment plants (STPs), developed under the first phase of the ADB project, have failed to take off. The citizens of Mangaluru are yet to be allowed to link the sewer lines of their houses to the manholes in the network. As a result, sewage flows into the stormwater drains in several parts of Mangaluru city. The sewer lines from various wards should be connected to the STPs, he demanded.

Shetty also questioned on the time for repayment of loan borrowed from the ADB by the MCC.

The corporators said that, according to a survey, about Rs 20 crore would be required to complete project to lay an underground sewer network in extended areas of the city. They sought to know whether the KUIDFC would include the missing link work in the second phase of the project. There is a need for coordination between the KUDCEMP and the MCC officials, said the corporators and also demanded a blue print of the first phase of the work, to help them decide on the work to be taken up in the second phase.

The corporators said that sewage water from several manholes constructed in the first phase overflows during monsoon. As a result, water bodies, including wells, have been polluted. Areas like Nehru Road, Kanakanabettu, MR Bhat Lane, Sooterpet SC Colony, Mahakalipadu and Jeppukudupady need to be included for the UGD works. The laterite stone manholes should be replaced with concrete manholes to check the seepage, they added.

Participatory approach

Ponnuraj said that a detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared in a participatory manner at every level by consulting the corporators. “The preliminary design report (PDR) prepared by the consultant needs to be approved in the Council at the earliest, to help the KUIDFC to process the ADB loan. Before finalising the DPR, asset mapping and difficulties mapping (difficulties/problems to be faced at the ground-level while implementing) will be prepared by the implementing agency and the MCC. The project will be presented by the consultant in every ward, so that corporators are consulted before finalising the DPR. Apart from this, the MCC should have a standing committee, for plan approval and review the progress till the work is complete,” said the MD.

“We want the DPR to be zero-variation during implementation stage. The existing assets and required assets will be integrated with the GIS,” he stated.

He said that the ADB-funded project aims to plug the network gap. “It aims to supply  water 24X7 to the citizens of Mangaluru. The contractor will maintain the assets for 5 years. After five years, it is left to the Council to decide whether to call for a tender or to maintain it by themselves,” he said.

A sum of Rs 280 crore will be sought from the ADB in the second phase, of which, Rs 160 crore will be used for water supply and Rs 120 crore for UGD.