Mayor sets precedent, disconnects water supply to defaulting apartment

Mayor Kavitha Sanil disconnected water supply to an apartment at Pinto Garden Road near Mary Hill in Mangaluru on Monday. The apartment neither had a  completion certificate nor had they paid tax to the civic body. Further, it had also flouted rules that mandated Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

There are 24 flats in the apartment but none were given door numbers as the builder had not applied for the completion certificate. The builder had also violated rules and failed to provide basic amenities including STP.

The Mayor said that she conducted spot inspection after getting complaints from the residents. She appealed to the citizens to ensure that completion certificates and door numbers are obtained before finalising a deal on the purchase of flats. “The residents in the area were facing inconvenience as the sewage from the apartment was let out in an open area. The building license was issued to the builder six years ago,” the Mayor said.

The Mayor directed officials to serve a notice to the builder and levy penalty for the violations. “The water supply to the apartment was illegal hence, it was disconnected,” she said.

She said that there was negligence on the part of MCC officials who failed to do any follow-up on the construction work. “I will direct MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer to initiate action against the erring officials who were responsible for violations in the building.”

Ex-serviceman Janardhan Karkera in the locality said that drainage was allowed to flow into a vacant site adjacent to the apartment. As a result, the residents of the locality were facing inconvenience due to the foul smell emanating from it.

Apartment occupants said that they have been cheated by the builder. Musthafa, a resident of the apartment, said that the builder who had promised facilities failed to provide the same.