High-level probe to be conducted into Gangolli jetty collapse
Mangaluru (PTI): A high-level probe will be conducted into the recent collapse of the mini-jetty at Gangolli fishing port in Udupi district, Karnataka Minister for Fisheries and Ports S Angara has said.
The probe team, which will be directed to conduct the investigation in a transparent manner, will be announced on Monday, he told reporters after a spot inspection at the jetty on Thursday evening.
Angara, who is also the Udupi district-in-charge Minister, said the contractor who was awarded the work will be blacklisted and all those found guilty will be punished.
The minister said the government had spent Rs 10 crore for the construction of the jetty.
Meanwhile, fishermen leader Ramesh Kunder alleged there was widespread corruption in the construction of the mini-jetty. Besides the Rs 10 crore released by the government in 2013, another Rs 3 crore was spent for its repair works after it was damaged in 2016, he said.
The fishermen in Gangolli are facing hardship in a busy season as they are now forced to anchor their boats in harbours at Bhatkal or Malpe, Kunder said.
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
