Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Mar 23: One of the prominent Storm Water Drain (SWD) that flows from Pandeshwar to fishing port at Bunder is completely blocked since a long time and also giving foul smell.

Houses, apartment buildings, shops and hotels that are nearby this SWD are leaving their affluents into the SWD which has caused it to block. This will cause havoc during monsoon as this SWD is mainly made for the rain water to flow.

The drainage water is flowing through this SWD and getting merged into the river at fisheries port. This very water later gets into sea. The sea is getting polluted. Though the leaders of fishing community had urged the administration to take action against offenders, no one has considered this as a serious issue. It is really surprising that district administration, MCC, environment board and fisheries department are silent though they know about this issue.

This drainage water is affecting the beauty of the fishing port. The underground drainage water is flowing through the area of boat repair at fishing port and is giving unbearable foul smell.

Former deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil had instructed to treat the water and then allow it to flow into the sea. Accordingly, in the Smart City project plan was made to use ETP machine in SWD and clean the water before it reaches the sea. However, it seems this project is limited to the file as it is not implemented practically.

Speaking on the issue, Nitin Kumar, president of Fisheries Development Corporation, said, "As the underground drainage water is flowing into the SWD at many places, the same is getting flown into fishing port. Underground drainage lines were given directly to this SWD during olden days. District administration and Mangaluru City Corporation have to monitor this and take suitable action."

Mohan Bengre, leader of fishermen, says, "The SWD that flows from Pandeshwar area of the city is polluted due to underground drainage water. Fishing port is full of mosquitoes and also affected by foul smell because of this. If anyone comes across this SWD, it will be an embarrassment to this city which is projected as Smart City."

Fishermen who go for fishing in deep sea are saying, "The Fisheries department has given several directives for fishermen who go for fishing in deep sea. It has warned us of stringent action if the same is not followed. The department says that the intention behind this directive is to maintain cleanliness of sea. However, the department has not taken any action on the SWD which flows within a stone's throw of their office. On whom, the fishing department, which slaps fine on fishermen for not maintaining cleanliness while fishing in sea, going to slap fine for allowing underground drainage water reaching the sea?"

Speaking on the issue, mayor Premananda Shetty, said, "We have received complaints about SWD at Pandeshwar having underground drainage connections. We have to take legal action against those responsible for the same. Instructions will be given to concerned officials to monitor the situation."

Rajaratna Sanil, leader of fishermen, says, "There is danger for people, getting down in sea port water for work, of contracting skin diseases. Due to this SWD the environment of fishing port is completely damaged. At least the health department has to look into this issue."