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.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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