Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, May 7: A review meeting, presided over by Bharat Lal Meena, principal secretary to the state government, department of agriculture, and DK district in-charge secretary, on issues like drinking water crisis, fodder and fuel shortage was held at Netravati hall of the zilla panchayat here on Wednesday May 7.
A B Ibrahim, the DK deputy commissioner and Tulasi Maddineni, ZP CEO were also present. Various issues were discussed on the occasion; and plans were also chalked out to set right certain problems which are to be addressed on a priority basis.
Drinking water crisis and power cuts
Shortage of drinking water has been an issue in various parts of the district and needs to be addressed immediately. Eight places under the Mangalore taluk limits are facing acute shortage of water, of which problem in one area has already been solved; for the other seven places water has been supplied through tankers on temporary basis.
Under the Bantwal panchayat limits, a village named Korpady has been facing water crisis due to non-availability of water sources. Water has been supplied through tankers. In other places, the problem has been prevailing due to unscheduled power cuts, as the water pumps cannot function and thus water has been supplied through tankers.
Under Mulky panchayat limits, five places have water problems; here the problem is due to the salt water filled in the river closeby. For the time being, five tankers have been deployed to supply water to the affected areas and to the well that belongs to the Bappanadu temple.
Bharat Lal Meena urged the Mescom officials to take appropriate steps to see that the power cuts do not affect the water supply. Responding to his request, a Mescom official promised to work to meet his demands and said that with regard to the damage of the transformer at Kavoor, the repair work is on and it will be completed within a day.
Bharat Lal Meena further asked the MCC commissioner to set up a 24x7 helpline to tend to water crisis and to supply water to the required areas with the help of tankers immediately; and also to establish a helpline number and inform the people through media so that the general public are aware of it. Responding to this, MCC commissioner said that the Thumbay Dam is almost full and there is no problem with the availability of water, but promised to meet his requirements.
The DC said that a new vented dam will to be constructed across the Thumbay river at an estimated cost of Rs 75 crore and once the project is complete, the city will get an alternate water source and all the water crisis will be solved.
An official concerned with the projects on the Thumbay dam said, "The first estimation of the dam was Rs 40 crore and later was increased to Rs 75 crore. But construction work that was in progress has come to a halt for the past four to five days due to the delay in bill payments. The funds have stopped arriving since last February. The electrically operated lifting gates of the dam are ready but we are not in a position to get it operated now as it costs Rs 18 crore and we do not have enough funds for it. But once everything is set right, the project will be completed next year."
Damages due to rain
Within Puttur limits, nearly 35 houses and a poultry farm were damaged due to heavy rainfall, wind and thunder, especially in the Narimogaru area. Compensation for a few affectd families have already been given. The total estimated loss is more than Rs 5 lac. It is learnt that crops have also been damaged in various parts.
In Bantwal, around 17 houses were damaged; 14 houses in Bantwal rural limits and crops that include areca worth Rs 60,000 have also been damaged. In Moodbidri, two people have lost their lives and a total of 16 houses have been damaged for which the compensation will be given immediately.
In Kadaba, three people have lost their lives and 12 houses have been damaged. Crops worth Rs 4 lac have also been damaged. It is learnt that inadequate electricity supply has also been a problem. In Beltangady, one person lost his life and nearly 123 houses were damaged; the compensations will be estimated at the earliest and distributed likewise. In Sullia 17 houses and crops worth Rs 1.30 lac have been damaged. In Mangalore, 8 houses were damaged and the families will be compensated at the earliest.
Replying to this issues, Bharat Lal Meena urged all the officials concerned to be quick with the disbursal of compensation, as only when it is given immediately will it help people and win their trust, he said.
The district has not been facing any major problems with regard to fodder and fuel crisis. With regard to the proposed construction of a Mini Vidhana Soudha in Mangalore, the proposal has been pending from the past eight years due to lack of funds and the government has restricted the project cost to a limit of Rs 5 crore.
Bridge and flyover issues
"The construction of the hanging bridge from Sultan Battery to Tannir Bavi has also been stopped because of minor problems. In the beginning it was sanctioned and was carried out by the tourism department, but now has been transferred to the PWD," said the DC.
About the Bikarnakatte flyover (the service road adjacent to the flyover), heavy vehicles cannot ply due to lack of space. Responding to this, Bharat Lal Meena urged the NHAI officials to send a proposal for either more land acquisition or to construct a bridge directly from the flyover.
Officials from various departments of the district were present for the meeting.