Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Mar 22: “There is no scarcity of funds to complete underground drainage projects in Kundapur municipal council limits,” said Sulochana Bhat, director of the state Drainage & Water Supply Board. “The work will be over if the municipal council approves the Zone-7 and suitable land for wet well and STP."

She was speaking at a special meeting held at the Kundapur municipal council auditorium over the progress of underground drainage works on Monday, March 22. “The Drainage & Water Supply Board will complete the project soon if the land does not attract any objections from people and if the pipeline, CRZ approval etc is provided,” she said.

Councillor Mohandas Shenoy said that people are hurling expletives at elected representatives due to UGD works of the council. “There are allegations that while the work is of high quality at some places, it is of inferior quality at other places. The project costing a huge amount should not be a curse to the people because of delay. A solution for this is necessary,” he said.

Member Chandrashekhar Kharvi said that the UGD work is progressing at a slow pace for the last several years. “Everything has gone haywire. Necessary approvals from CRZ has not been obtained. The officials should take suitable action immediately in this regard,” he said.

Chief executive Gopalakrishna Shetty stated that five wet wells are required for UGD works. “The land for three wet wells is already acquired. There is a dispute regarding one wet well. The acquisition of 33 cents of land on the road to STP is pending. CRZ approval is needed for the same,” he said.

Members Devaki Sannayya, Girish G K and Santhosh also provided their inputs at the meeting. Municipal council president Veena Bhaskar, vice-president, Sandeep Kharvi and standing committee president, Shekhar Kharvi were present.