Karkala: Students take initiative to study adverse impact of drainage project
R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (EP)
Karkala, Sep 21: The fertile agricultural land in the area of Kabettu and Anekere here has become useless for agriculture as a result of drainage project implemented by Karnataka water supply and drainage board in 1993. Manipal University students on Thursday September 19 visited the area to study the adverse effects of the project, based on a report published in Daijiworld.
Daijiworld had published a report about farmers in despair after their land was rendered unsuitable for agriculture.
An amount of Rs 62 lac was spent on drainage covering an area of 6.34 kilometres in between the main road. The project that was riddled with unscientific and inferior quality work coupled with non cooperation by the people created permanent problems for the farmers.
Though an area of two acres was identified for waste disposal unit near Pade at Kabettu Kattemar, the work has stopped half way through. The project also involved five oxidation units in an area of 1.2 million gallons capacity and connections to houses, businesses and central unit numbering 234 in all.
The drainage project has worsened the scarcity of drinking water that existed earlier. The leakages in drainage pipes has made the water seep into the wells and the water in them unfit for consumption. The well water stinks more in the summer than during monsoons.
The students, Ranjitha and Sparthi from Manipal University’s school of communication travelled to Anekere, Kabettu, Kattemar and Municipal office and collected information from local people, people's representatives and officials on the matter.
The students also met Daijiworld correspondent and collected details. They informed that their institute had sent them on a study tour based on the report published in the website.