Mangaluru: Barrier collapse at Netravati River project amid NGT stay sparks outrage
Mangaluru: A barrier constructed for the waterfront project on the banks of the Netravati River has collapsed near Mulihithlu, causing significant public outrage. This incident occurred even as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Chennai stayed the project's work following opposition from environmentalists and locals.
Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan has ordered an investigation into the collapse. Assistant Commissioner Raju K. stated that notices will be issued to the supervising officers, and payments to the contractors responsible for the construction will be withheld pending further inquiry.
The Netravati River Front (waterfront) project, stretching 2.1 km from Morgansgate to Bolar, developed by Mangalore Smart City Limited, aims to transform the area into a walking area. As part of the project, a barrier wall was constructed along the riverbank and soil filling was carried out. However, heavy rains last week caused a section of the barrier near Mulihithlu to collapse.
Smart City officials reported that 1,200 meters of the project has been completed, with some areas filled with soil. These sections were intended to be leveled with a roller. Unfortunately, water infiltrated one part of the project, creating a pit and leading to the collapse of the barrier wall. Officials have stated that the contractor responsible for the construction will be questioned regarding the incident.
Arun Prabha, Senior Officer of the Siruva Smart City Project, assured that such problems would not recur.
The project spans 2.1 km, but currently, work is ongoing only up to 1,600 meters. Local opposition has led to court cases concerning the remaining sections, indicating that the project's completion is contingent on resolving these issues.
Environmentalists have expressed strong opposition. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been approached by the NECF alleging violations of environmental norms related to the Netravati waterfront project. The NGT has registered a case and issued a notice to the district administration and the relevant committee to investigate these allegations. Both the committee and the district collector have conducted site inspections. Meanwhile, the collapse of the barrier wall has bolstered the objections of locals and environmental activists, strengthening allegations of regulatory violations.
Following the NGT order, a joint committee arrived to inspect environmental norm violations in the project area. The Deputy Commissioner had also visited the project area. However, the NECF, which filed the complaint with the NGT, was not informed or provided with the opportunity to present documents for verification. Smart City officials, along with some project supporters, were called for inspection instead. This has led to dissatisfaction among activists of the National Environment Care Federation (NECF), who are unclear about the nature of the project.
The site of the barrier wall collapse will be visited and inspected, and the engineers and officials responsible will be called and cautioned to carry out their work diligently. A notice regarding the collapse will also be issued to the concerned parties. The investigation is currently underway by the NGT, and work will resume only after obtaining permission from the NGT.
Raju K., Assistant Commissioner, Mangaluru
A bridge in Bihar collapsed before its inauguration. This project, undertaken by people’s representatives in a district known for its intelligent population, risks losing hundreds of crores of rupees. What is the story behind this spending plan if the barrier collapses after a few days of rain? The project is being carried out flouting all environment laws. Even before the inauguration, the barrier has collapsed. Despite the apparent looting of the environment and people's tax money, the concerned authorities remain silent. Fake activists are working to cause trouble against those legitimately opposing it.
Shasidhara Shetty, Convenor, NECF
The Netravati WaterFront Project was initially estimated at Rs. 70 crore but has since been revised and sanctioned for Rs. 32 crores. The project covers a distance of 2.1 km and is designed for non-motor vehicle use, with facilities for cycling and other amenities for public enjoyment. Arun Prabha, a senior officer of Smart City Limited informed that currently, 5% of the work, amounting to Rs. 5 crore, has been completed, and the contractor has been paid Rs. 2,42,18,650.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Islamabad locked down ahead of planned protest by Imran Khan's party in Pakistan
Islamabad (PTI): Amid stringent measures put in place by the Pakistan government to thwart the protest march on Sunday, jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party is preparing to proceed with its highly anticipated march towards Islamabad.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has called on the public to join the march to "break the shackles of slavery."
The federal government has taken several steps to block the protest, including deploying heavy security forces, sealing key roads, and setting up barriers around the capital.
The Interior Ministry has emphasised that, in accordance with court orders, no protests or sit-ins will be allowed in Islamabad, and any attempts to disrupt public order will be met with legal action.
Khan, in a statement, urged the masses to unite for the protest, calling it a movement for freedom and justice.
The PTI leaders earlier on Sunday held a high-level meeting at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s House to finalise the strategy for the planned protest, Geo News reported.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that he will arrive in Swabi at 3pm to oversee the preparations for the planned protest and lead the party's march to Islamabad, the report added.
The chief minister also directed the party's activists intending to attend the march to reach Swabi by 3pm.
Ignoring calls by the government to postpone the protest – the second one in as many months – Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) declared to go ahead with its planned march to Islamabad coinciding with the arrival of a large Belarusian delegation even as the authorities issued a warning of a potential threat during the protest.
The PTI gave a call last week for a long march to Islamabad to press for three demands: the release of the incarcerated party founder and other leaders, against the alleged “stolen mandate” during February 8 elections and restoration of the judiciary by revoking the recent 26th amendment to the Constitution that granted legislators more power in appointing top judges.
Meanwhile, Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has opted not to participate in the protest but will oversee the convoys from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's House.
In preparation for the protest, Islamabad’s federal government has fortified security measures, sealing off several key roads and blocking routes leading to the Red Zone, where critical government buildings are located.
Containers have been placed across the city, including along the Srinagar Highway, GT Road, and the Expressway, limiting access to strategic areas like D-Chowk, Islamabad Airport, and the A-11 point at New Margalla Road.
Rangers, along with police and Frontier Constabulary (FC), have been deployed to monitor the area. The federal government has also warned against any unlawful protests, stating that no one will be permitted to hold a demonstration in violation of judicial orders, with legal action promised against any violators.
Also, Pakistan Railways has suspended all train services between Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar in light of the ongoing PTI protest, the Express Tribune reported.
According to railway authorities, services between Peshawar and Rawalpindi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, as well as between Multan and Faisalabad to Rawalpindi, have been halted immediately.
Additionally, all 25 train bookings for Sunday, November 24, have been cancelled, and passengers will receive immediate refunds for their tickets.
The suspension of services and the cancellation of bookings have impacted daily commuters and travellers, as Pakistan Railways responds to the security situation surrounding the ongoing protests.
Section 144 – which prohibits gatherings of individuals – has been in effect in Islamabad since November 18. On the other hand, the Punjab government too has enforced Section 144 across the province from November 23 to November 25, banning protests, public gatherings, rallies, and sit-ins.
Despite the heightened security and restrictions, the PTI has remained persistent about proceeding with its protest march and subsequent sit-in to press for its demands.
Additionally, internet and mobile services have been partially suspended in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab as a precaution.
Users in Islamabad are facing partial disruptions in internet services at various locations, while it remains unhindered in neighbouring Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, mobile services also remain fully operational in Rawalpindi.
Public transport, including metro bus services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, has been halted, and all bus terminals at Faizabad, linking the twin cities, have been barricaded.
Khan, 72, has been implicated in dozens of cases since his government was dismissed through a no-confidence motion in 2022. He has been in Adiala Jail at Rawalpindi since last year facing, according to his party, over 200 cases; got bail in some of them, convicted in some others, and hearings going on for some more.
Khan's party won the largest number of seats in the February general elections despite contesting as independents as the party was denied an election symbol and the PTI chief has already alleged that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its coalition partners, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had “stolen the mandate” to grab power at the federal level.
Relations between the PTI and the PML-N-led coalition government -already tense since Khan’s ouster in 2022 - have strained even more in recent times.
