Unfiltered water supply in Mangaluru: Inquiry committee to be formed, says MLC Ivan D’Souza
Mangaluru (Karnataka) Jan 7: Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council (MLC) Ivan D’Souza said that an inquiry committee comprising councillors and experts will be formed to address the issue of nearly half of Mangaluru receiving unfiltered water.
He stated that a fact-finding report would be prepared and submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his visit to the district on January 17.
Speaking at a joint press conference with opposition members of the MCC on Monday, D’Souza raised concerns about the continued supply of untreated sewage-mixed water, despite scientific reports identifying the Netravati as one of the 13 most polluted rivers in Karnataka.
"If residents experience health issues due to the supply of unfiltered water, the MCC administration will be directly responsible," D’Souza said.
He questioned why the issue had not been brought to the government’s attention earlier and mentioned that the Urban Development Minister had also been apprised of the matter.
A formal request for state intervention has been made, he added.
Currently, treated water is supplied to the old Mangaluru region from the Bendoorwell treatment plant, but areas such as Baikampady, Panambur, and Surathkal receive direct water supply from the Thumbay dam without purification.
"Even after reports confirmed that Netravati’s water is contaminated, no steps have been taken to ensure purification. We will launch an agitation, if necessary," said D’Souza.
D’Souza further pointed out that despite crores of rupees being spent on underground drainage systems, sewage treatment plants (STPs), and wet wells under the Smart City project, sewage flow into storm water drains has increased fifty-fold over the past decade.
He also alleged that lakes developed at great expense have now turned into sewage reservoirs.
Questioning the silence of two local MLAs on the issue, he demanded accountability from elected representatives.
Opposition leader Anil Kumar, and councillors Shashidhar Hegde, Praveenchandra Alva, Samsuddin, Keshav, and Bhaskar K, along with former Mayor Harinath, were present at the press conference.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
