Self-registration system to come up in MUDA on August 15: Minister UT Khader
Mangaluru, July 21: In a bid to speed up work processes in Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Self-registration system will be implemented from August 15, said Urban Development and Housing Minister UT Khader.
Speaking at a press conference at the Circuit House, he said that the applicants must submit an online application and the permission letter will be provided within a week if the filed application is adequate. It is a revolutionary step, he added.
“Already discussions have been held with a software company. It needs Rs. 7.5 crore. For house building applications, permission would be given in a fixed time. Whereas For big projects, permissions from the various department in various ways would be given in a specific period. This system is being introduced first in Mangaluru. It will later be introduced in other parts of the state,” he said.
There are many problems with MUDA. Works are not being properly done there. Files are not moving swiftly. There have been many complaints that mediators are working between officers and people. MUDA Adalat has been organized at MUDA office on August 4 to resolve these kinds of problems. The Deputy Commissioner, MUDA Commissioner and other officials will be participating in the Adalat that will begin at 9 am, Minister UT Khader said.
“A system will be made to solve the public problems there itself by giving a token,” he added.
Taluk panchayat President Mohammed Monu, ZP member Mamata Gatti, Ishwar Ullal, Sadashiva Ullal, Santosh Shetty, Melvin D'Souza and others were present.
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Nearly 700 km of Karnataka rivers polluted; cities, towns depend on contaminated water
Shivamogga: A total of 693.75 of river stretches across Karnataka are polluted, and water from several of these rivers is being supplied to towns and cities, the State government informed the Legislative Assembly.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Monday, replying to an unstarred question by Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra during the winter session in Belagavi, Forest, Environment and Biodiversity Minister Eshwar Khandre said rivers are classified into five categories, P1 to P5, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, with P1 being the most polluted.
He reportedly said untreated domestic wastewater from urban and rural areas is the main reason for river pollution. Arkavati, Lakshana Teertha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Cauvery, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shimsha, Bheema and Netravati are the polluted rivers and so far, 112 polluted drainages along these rivers have been identified.
Khandre explained that rivers are classified into five pollution categories P1 to P5. The Arkavati River has been placed in the P1 category, while no rivers fall under P2 and P3. Tungabhadra, Bhadra and Shimsha are categorised under P4, and eight other rivers fall under P5.
Khandre allegedly said domestic wastewater from municipalities, towns and villages along riverbeds is being discharged into at least 17 rivers, identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This is the primary cause of river pollution.
According to the report, the minister said drinking water is being supplied from polluted rivers in districts such as Mandya, Ramanagara, Vijayapura and Shivamogga. In parts of Uttara Kannada, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Bagalkot, local bodies are also drawing water from polluted river sources.
In 2022-23, CPCB identified South Pinakini, Aghanashini, Sharavathi and Gangavali rivers too as polluted. But wrote to CPCB, stating that these rivers are not polluted and sought their removal from the list. An action plan is being prepared for the South Pinakini River, he said.
On remedial measures, Khandre reportedly said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is setting up sewage treatment plants as per the directions of National Green Tribunal.
As per the report, under 12 river rejuvenation plans, the state generates 817.31 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage. While 41 STPs with a capacity of 614.1 MLD are operational, 203.21 MLD of sewage remains untreated.
Work is underway to establish 19 STPs with a capacity of 248.91 MLD, while 39 more STPs with a combined capacity of 357.92 MLD are in the planning stage. Progress is being monitored and reported regularly to the NGT and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The minister reportedly said the state government gave its approval for underground drainage works worth Rs 535.56 crore in 2021 for 24 cities/towns besides Rs 523.80 crore for nine UGD projects.
