Dakshina Kannada & Udupi Water Supply & Sanitation Planning & Issues

[mangalore mania]

24 gram panchayats in DK face water crisis

Minister urges officials to tackle the problem before the summer blitz

A total of 24 gram panchayats in the district, mainly in Mangalore and Bantwal taluks, face an acute shortage of water, said Panchayat Raj officials at the quarterly review meeting of development work in the district held in Mangalore on Monday.

With the worst of summer yet to come up, District in-charge Minister C.T. Ravi questioned authorities as to what was being done to ensure drinking water supply in the district. Mr. Ravi, who chaired the meeting, directed officials to ensure water supply through tankers to areas of acute water shortage.

Satyanarayan, Zilla Panchayat Executive Engineer, said a grant of Rs. 30 lakh had been given to each taluk to tackle the depleting water table in the district. “In February end and March beginning, the water table dips in the district. Our action plan includes getting a blast rig from Mysore, whose rental is Rs. 17,000, that can blast through the rocks and extend the depth of existing borewells that have gone dry,” he said.

Funds crunch

Strangely, 64 borewells in the district are without pumps and lie idle. The official said the department lacked funds to deposit with the Karnataka Electricity Board for installation of a pump.

Other projects to address the water problems in the district have run into similar bureaucratic dead ends and contractor problems. Construction on the proposed vented dam at Kinnigoli has been stalled due to paucity of funds, while only 25 per cent of civil work has been done on the Thumbe vented dam extension.

“The deadline has been revised to December-end, while civil work will be completed by June,” said an official of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board.

Similarly, Irrigation Department officials said out of the six check dams proposed under the National Watershed Development Programme for Rain-fed Areas, only two had been completed, the rest being suspended until funds were available. Funds shortage also sees only 75 out of 122 minor irrigation projects undertaken.

[otte bisale]

New tertiary treatment plant coming soon - Times of India

TNN | Mar 23, 2013, 04.33 AM IST

MANGALORE: The new tertiary treatment plant and conveying facilities of the Mangalore Special Economic Zone Limited (MSEZL) is set to reduce the financial burden on the Mangalore City Corporation in the operation and maintenance of sewage treatment plants (STP).

The new plant set up at Kavoor sewage treatment plant premises aims at avoiding disposal of secondary treated sewage into the drain, thereby improving environmental quality and eliminating use of hazardous chlorine for disinfection. The 22.7 million-litres-per-day-capacity plant built at a cost of Rs 18 crore is ready and will be functional soon. Thermax has been awarded the work.

MSEZL also has plans to install TTPs to treat the domestic sewage for reuse from three more STPs in the city. These plants will cater to the water requirements of industrial units of MSEZL and MRPL.

Official sources said that domestic sewage is treated in STP to make it fit for disposal, but it still has considerable pollutants to be accepted for reuse. "The TTP of MSEZL has been designed to make the treated output of STP fit for reuse, which is otherwise disposed into sea. Pollutants in domestic sewage are often measured by biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in sewage. BOD value of domestic sewage varies between 270 and 330 mg/litre, while BOD in secondary treated sewage accepted to be disposed into water bodies is 20 mg/litre. However, the tertiary plant has been designed to lower the BOD value to 2 mg/litre, which is below detectable limit of majority of the laboratories in India," said an official.

The process in the TTP involves biological treatment of sewage followed by ultra filtration system to further remove suspended solids. Produced water will be suitably disinfected before use. It is only one such large-scale plant in India, the official said, adding that it has a backup power by diesel generator. Through sharing of operation and maintenance cost of the plant, the city corporation can see a reduction in its financial burden.

[otte bisale]

ಕೊಂಕಣ ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಸುರಂಗದಲ್ಲಿ ನೀರು ಪೋಲು - ವಿಜಯ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ

ವಿಕ ಸುದ್ದಿಲೋಕ | Mar 23, 2013, 05.32AM IST

ಸುರಂಗ ಮಾರ್ಗದಿಂದ ಹೊರಹೊಮ್ಮುವ ನೀರಿಗೆ ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಹಳಿ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲೇ ಹರಿಯಲು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಟ್ಟಿರುವ ಹಾದಿ.
-ರಾಮ ಬಿಜೂರು ಬೈಂದೂರು

ಬೇಸಿಗೆ ಬಂತೆಂದರೆ ಬಾವಿ, ಕೆರೆ, ಹೊಳೆಗಳೆಲ್ಲ ಬತ್ತಿ ಹೋಗುವುದು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ. ಆದರೆ ಇಲ್ಲೊಂದು ಜಲಧಾರೆ ಇದೆ. ಪ್ರಕೃತಿದತ್ತವಾದ ಇದು ಮೇ ತಿಂಗಳ ಕೊನೆಯಲ್ಲೂ ಹರಿಯುತ್ತಲೇ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ. ಹಾಗೆಂದು ಅದನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವವರೇ ಇಲ್ಲ.

ಬೈಂದೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಂಕಣ ರೈಲ್ವೆಯವರು ಕೊರೆದಿರುವ ಸುರಂಗ ಮಾರ್ಗದಿಂದ ಹರಿದು ಬರುವ ನೀರಿನ ಸದುಪಯೋಗವಾಗದಿರುವುದು ನಿಜವಾಗಲೂ ದುರದೃಷ್ಟ. ಸರ್ವ ಋತುಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ನಿರಂತರ ಹರಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಈ ನೀರನ್ನು ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥಿತವಾಗಿ ಹಿಡಿದು ಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂಗಿಸಿದ್ದರೆ ಇಂದು ಬೈಂದೂರು ಪರಿಸರಕ್ಕೆ ಕುಡಿಯುವ ನೀರಿನ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ ಕಾಡುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ.

ಒತ್ತಿನೆಣೆ ಗುಡ್ಡವನ್ನು ಕೊರೆದು ಸುರಂಗ ಮಾಡುವ ಸಂದರ್ಭ ಒಳಗಡೆ ನೈಸರ್ಗಿಕವಾಗಿ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಕೆರೆಯ ಮಾದರಿಯ ನೀರಿನ ಆಗರವಿದ್ದಿತ್ತು. ಅದನ್ನು ಒಡೆದಾಗ ದೊಡ್ಡ ನೀರಿನ ಪ್ರವಾಹವೇ ಹರಿದಿತ್ತು. ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲ ಇಂದಿಗೂ ಅದು ಹರಿಯುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದೆ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯರು.

ಸುರಂಗ ಮಾರ್ಗದಿಂದಾಗಿ ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತಲಿನ ಬಾವಿಗಳು ಈಗ ಬರಿದಾಗಿವೆ. ಅಂತರ್ಜಲದ ಮಟ್ಟ ಕುಸಿದಿದೆ. ಪ್ರಾರಂಭದ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಹಳಿಗಳ ಇಕ್ಕೆಲಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹರಿಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ನೀರನ್ನು ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತಲಿನ ಜನರು ತಮ್ಮ ತೋಟಕ್ಕೆ ಹಾಯಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಕ್ರಮೇಣ ಅವರವರ ನಡುವೆ ಜಗಳ, ಹೊಡೆದಾಟ ನಡೆದು ರೈಲ್ವೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಯಾರೂ ಈ ನೀರನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳದಂತೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿ, ಹಳ್ಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಹರಿದು ಹೋಗುವಂತೆ ಕಾಲುವೆ ಮಾಡಿದರು. ಇದರಿಂದ ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಜನರಿಗೆ ಜೀವಜಲವಾಗಿ ಉಪಯೋಗವಾಗಬೇಕಿದ್ದ ಅಮೂಲ್ಯ ನೀರು ಯಾರಿಗೂ ಸಿಗದೆ ಹರಿದು ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದೆ.

ಸದ್ಬಳಕೆ: ಕುಡಿಯುವ ನೀರಿನ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಯಿಂದ ಕಂಗಾಲಾಗಿರುವ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಗ್ರಾಮಗಳು ಈ ನೀರನ್ನು ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥಿತವಾಗಿ ಬಳಸಿಕೊಂಡಲ್ಲಿ ಶಾಶ್ವತ ಪರಿಹಾರ ಕಂಡುಕೊಳ್ಳಬಹುದಾಗಿದೆ. ಸುರಂಗದಿಂದ ಹರಿದು ಬರುವ ನೀರನ್ನು ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಕೆಳಗಡೆಯ ಬಯಲು ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆರೆ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ ಮಾಡಿ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ತುಂಬಿಸಿದರೆ ಆ ಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಂತರ್ಜಲ ಮಟ್ಟ ಏರುತ್ತದೆ. ಕೆರೆಯ ಆಸುಪಾಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾವಿ ತೋಡಿದರೆ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಪ್ರಮಾಣದ ನೀರು ವರ್ಷಪೂರ್ತಿ ಸಿಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಕೆಲವೇ ಮೀಟರ್*ಗಳ ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಬೃಹತ್ ನೀರು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಣಾ ಟ್ಯಾಂಕ್*ಗೆ ನೀರನ್ನು ಪಂಪ್ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಸದಾ ಕಾಲ ಕುಡಿಯುವ ನೀರು ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಸಿಗುವಂತೆ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ.

ನಿಷ್ಪ್ರಯೋಜಕ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಶಾಶ್ವತ ಪರಿಹಾರ ನೀಡಲು ವಿಫಲವಾಗಿರುವ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಗ್ರಾ.ಪಂ. ಈ ವಿಚಾರವಾಗಿ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥಿತ ಯೋಜನೆ ರೂಪಿಸಬೇಕಾದ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿದೆ. ನೀರೇ ಬರದ ಬರಡು ಬಾವಿಗೆ ಲಕ್ಷ ಲಕ್ಷ ಅನುದಾನ ನೀಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ಜಿ.ಪಂ. ಇಂತಹ ಯೋಜನೆಯನ್ನು ಕಾರ್ಯಗತಗೊಳಿಸಿದರೆ ಯಶಸ್ವಿಯಾಗಬಹುದು ಎಂಬುದು ಸ್ಥಳೀಯರ ಅನಿಸಿಕೆ.

[mangalore mania]

Oil firms must open transport hubs for lorry drivers: Moily

Mangalore, March 19:
Union Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily has said that oil marketing companies would be asked to set up transport hubs for lorry drivers.

Laying the foundation stone for the transport hub of HPCL in Mangalore on Monday, he said lorry drivers who transport petroleum products to various destinations, will have to stay back for three-four days at the loading destinations.

Considering this, the Government has decided to set up a transport hub in Mangalore. The transport hub facility by HPCL in Mangalore is spread over 660 sq metres of area.

Facilities provided

It provides facilities such as dormitories, medical room, library, yoga and meditation centres, convenience store and wash room.

He said such a facility would provide hundreds of truck drivers and cleaners with comfort and convenience in their stressful life.

Moily said he would ask oil companies to set up such facilities for their drivers and cleaners at the loading locations.

He said his vision is to make India self-sufficient in the consumption of petroleum products by 2030.

Stating that the country has oil reserves, he said there is a need to have patience to research them.

He said HPCL is setting up a refinery in Rajasthan’s Barmer region. This refinery should be able to refine indigenous crude, he said.

Roy Choudhary, Chairman of HPCL, said the Mangalore LPG import facility is spread over 176 acres of land.

This facility handled around 1.6 million tonnes of LPG in 2011-12 and caters to the needs of domestic and commercial consumers in the region.

The transport hub is the first-of-its-kind in southern India, he added.

[mangalore mania]

Problem of garbage on roads getting worse in DK

There is a need to create awareness on solid waste management

Dakshina Kannada made headlines with its excellent success rate in total sanitation campaign and 203 gram panchayats (GPs) ended up winning Nirmal Gram Puraskar till last year. But, now the scene has changed as the GPs have failed sustain the drive, resulting in mounds of garbage. Roads are becoming narrower for vehicle users as garbage is dumped on the roadside from Thokkottu to Mudipu, Kotekar villages on the outskirts of Mangalore city.

When total sanitation campaign picked up in the district, all the GPs participated wholeheartedly to make it a success and won the award at the national level also. Many GPs decided to construct plastic soudha to dump the plastic covers and to give way for its re-use or use it for productive purpose like laying of roads.

Though places like Deralakatte, Kuthar, Kotekar and Asaigoli have seen rapid development with the setting up of medical and engineering colleges and Mangalore University, garbage collection and clearance have not improved in these areas. Added to this is a section of indifferent residents and traders, who dump garbage in public places and road margins.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, MGNREGA ombudsman Sheena Shetty, who along with Jana Shikshana Trust Director Krishna Moolya were part of cleanliness drive during total sanitation campaign, said “I have been receiving several complaints from general public on dumping of waste on either side of the road. About three to four loads of garbage are being dumped near a college at Deralakatte in Belma gram panchayat. Heaps of garbage are seen in front of Belma gram panchayat itself. An open ground near a school in Jalalbhag in Kotekar gram panchayat has been turned into a dump yard. The mountains of garbage in front of a saw mill in Natekal in Konaje gram panchayat will become bigger if the authorities fail to clear them immediately.”

A shopkeeper said “plastic bags are thrown everywhere, including tourist places, water bodies and drains. We have created a culture, which is perpetually dependent on plastic. Normally, the plastic bags are light and get dirty very fast. When there is wind, they fly and get struck to plants and bushes, affecting the beauty of the place.”

The plastic soudha which was constructed at Assaigoli has been turned into a dump yard.
“The plastic soudha should be utilised effectively for dumping the plastic covers. However, the soudha is used for dumping the plastic covers filled with waste. The plastic bags containing all types of waste stuffed in them tightly closed are dumped outside the soudha,” said Vidya, a resident.

It is an eyesore to see garbage dumped on the roadside and burnt. Despite High Court orders on various issues relating to garbage handling, very little has been done by the local bodies in handling garbage. Just like the way the volume of traffic on Thokkottu-Mudipu stretch has increased phenomenally, garbage volume is increasing day-by-day, which is not being cleared by the local bodies, said a resident of Kuthar.

Sheena Shetty said that all the GPs should create an awareness on solid waste management among its residents. At least five GPs can join hands in chalking out an action plan for the scientific disposal of waste.

“The authorities should initiate measure to dispose the already existing garbage on either side of the road. Unless the GPs comes out with a stringent rule to punish those dumping waste beside the road, the problem cannot be sorted out. The GPs should motivate hotels and shop keepers to dispose the waste on their own,” he said.

[mangalore mania]

Tumbe vented dam work in snail’s pace

KUWSDB official blames contractor, MCC says ‘no worries’

The much awaited new vented dam work across the Netravati river at Tumbe, which would meet the city’s water requirements for five months with zero inflow is progressing in a snail’s pace.

Though the work had started in last February, the contarctors have been able to complete only 40 per cent of civil works. It has created doubts about finishing the work within the target period, which is by the end of 2013

Read more: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...rk-snails.html

[mangalore mania]

No drop to waste, CMC starts water rationing

Baje dam water for irrigation

UDUPI: The district administration has cut power supply to as many as 70 irrigation pump sets near Baje dam that supplies drinking water to people in the city municipal council limits. Baje dam is the main source of drinking water to the city.

Deputy commissioner M T Reju had said in an earlier meeting that water in Baje dam was meant for drinking water purpose and priority would be given for agricultural use after ensuring availability of water for drinking purpose.

read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/19264671.cms

[otte bisale]

Tumbe vented dam work in snail’s pace
Guruprasad T N, March 28, 2013, DHNS:
KUWSDB official blames contractor, MCC says ‘no worries’

The much awaited new vented dam work across the Netravati river at Tumbe, which would meet the city’s water requirements for five months with zero inflow is progressing in a snail’s pace.

Though the work had started in last February, the contarctors have been able to complete only 40 per cent of civil works. It has created doubts about finishing the work within the target period, which is by the end of 2013.

The Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) officials blame Rithwik-Sapna Projects Ltd, which handles the venture. Speaking to Deccan Herald, KUWSDB Executive Engineer L N Anand expressed his disappointment as the contractors are yet to start with day and night work, though several notices have been served to them for delaying construction.

“They could have finished it by the end of 2012,” he said and added that the Board has recovered Rs 50 lakh as penalty. “Now they have assured of finishing civil works in June third week and completing machanical works by the end of June 31. We will wait till June. This will be the last chance for them,” he said. About possibilities of new contract, he said that it takes more time and may cause financial burden.

Anand claimed that the work is delayed also because contractors get only 2 to 5 months in a year to work. It is challenging to work in riverbed, but contractors can’t claim it as a reason. They should finish the work in available time.

Estimated cost doubles

Meanwhile, the estimated cost of 250 metre width dam has gone up to Rs 75.5 crore from the earlier Rs 40 crore, which is yet to be approved by the government. Still, according to the official, there is no financial problem as the governemnt has released Rs 19.75 crore for the project and only about Rs 14 crore has been spent. “Once the foundation work gets over, then the machanical work starts which needs more money,” Anand said.

Explaining the reasons about increased estimated cost, Anand said that Torsteel Research Foundation of India (TRFI) has suggested to improve the grade of concrete and the quantity of the concrete has also been increased. The geologists from Karnataka Power Corporation (KPC) have suggested to improve the foundation quality. The earlier estimation is proved unscientific, he said.

MCC says ‘no worry’

Meanwhile, Mangalore City Corporation officials say that people need not worry over water scarcity because of the delay in the construction of new dam. MCC Commissioner Harish Kumar said that as the catchment areas of the river have received good rains this mansoon, the dam has enough water to meet the demands of City.

KUWSDB Assistant Engineer Shamsuddin also agrees to this point. Recently new scheme has been implemented by Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) under Karnataka Urban Development and Coastal Environmental Management Project (KUDCEMP) to increase the capacity of water supply system to 160 Million Letres per Day (MLD) from 80 MLD. Now water is also made available to Ullal, Mulki and adjacent industries including MCF and Harbour.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...rk-snails.html

[otte bisale]

ಪುಚ್ಚಮೊಗರಿಗೆ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ವೆಂಟೆಡ್ ಡ್ಯಾಮ್: ಅಭಯಚಂದ್ರ
Mar 25, 2013, 10.11PM IST

ಮೂಡುಬಿದಿರೆ: ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರಕಾರದ ಅನುದಾನದಿಂದ ಪುಚ್ಚಮೊಗರಿ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ವೆಂಟೆಡ್ ಡ್ಯಾಮ್*ನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿ ಹೊಸಂಗಡಿವರೆಗೆ ನೀರಿನ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದು ಶಾಸಕ ಅಭಯಚಂದ್ರ ಜೈನ್ ಭರವಸೆ ನೀಡಿದರು.

ಪುರಸಭೆ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಜೇತರಾದ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸದಸ್ಯರಿಗೆ ಭಾನುವಾರ ಗೋವುಗುಡ್ಡೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಿದ ಅಭಿನಂದನಾ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಸದಸ್ಯರನ್ನು ಅಭಿನಂದಿಸಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದರು.

ಮಳವೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣವಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬೃಹತ್ ಕುಡಿಯುವ ನೀರಿನ ಯೋಜನೆ ಕಾಮಗಾರಿ ಭರದಿಂದ ಸಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದು ವರ್ಷದೊಳಗೆ ಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು. ಮೂಲ್ಕಿಯಲ್ಲಿ 19 ಕೋಟಿಯ ಬಹುಗ್ರಾಮ ಕುಡಿಯುವ ನೀರಿನ ಯೋಜನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೀರಿನ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯನ್ನು ಮಾಡಲಾಗುವುದು. ಕಲ್ಲಬೆಟ್ಟು ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಂದೂ ರುದ್ರಭೂಮಿಗಾಗಿ ಜನರ ಬೇಡಿಕೆ ಇದ್ದು ಈ ಬೇಡಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ನೆರವೇರಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದು ಭರವಸೆಯನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದರು. ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತರು ಪಕ್ಷದ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಆಸ್ತಿ. ಅವರ ಅಭಿಮಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಧಕ್ಕೆ ಬಾರದಂತೆ ವಿಜೇತ ಸದಸ್ಯರು ಗಮನಹರಿಸಿ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಬೇಕೆಂದು ಸದಸ್ಯರಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಮುಖ್ಯ ಅತಿಥಿಯಾಗಿ ಜಿ.ಪಂ. ಮಾಜಿ ಸದಸ್ಯ ಸಾಹುಲ್ ಹಮೀದ್ ಮಾತನಾಡಿ, ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಪಕ್ಷವು ಅಧಿಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದ ಮೂರು ತಿಂಗಳಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಯೇ ಹಗರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗಿಯಾಗಿ ಶಾಸಕರು ಜೈಲು ಪಾಲಾದ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಭಾರತದ ಚರಿತ್ರೆಗೆ ಕಪ್ಪುಚುಕ್ಕೆ. ಇವರ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಧಾರವಾಹಿಯಂತೆ ಎಂದು ಲೇವಡಿ ಮಾಡಿದರು.

ಬ್ಲಾಕ್ ಕಾಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಮೇಘನಾಥ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಜೇತ 14 ಮಂದಿ ಸದಸ್ಯರನ್ನು ಅಭಿನಂದಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಪುರಸಭೆ ಮಾಜಿ ಸದಸ್ಯ ಬೋಜ ಕೋಟ್ಯಾನ್ ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು. ಮಾಜಿ ಸದಸ್ಯ ಜೊಸ್ಸಿ ಮಿನೇಜಸ್ ಸ್ವಾಗತಿಸಿದರು. ಆಲ್ವಿನ್ ಮಿನೇಜಸ್ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಿರೂಪಿಸಿದರು.

http://vijaykarnataka.indiatimes.com...w/19199148.cms

[otte bisale]

Kundapur: Gulvady dam in state of utter neglect, villages reel under water scarcity

Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Mar 31: The vented dam built across Halady River near Gulvady in the taluk a few years ago to stop saline water from getting mixed with fresh water of the river, and to help irrigate the farmlands which otherwise parch after rainy season, is now lying in shambles because of official apathy.

The coastal districts are reeling under shortage of drinking water, caused by dried wells and water sources, and falling underground water table. Although the government has released crores of rupees through zilla panchayats for handling the water crisis, the villages do not seem to have got any real benefit.










The dam has 28 large sized gates and three small ones. Normally, the four big gates of the dam are closed by February each year. However, this year, this has not been done, as a result of which the river flow, which would have enriched the underground water table if blocked at the dam, continues to reach the sea. As a result, about 20 villages located in the vicinity are suffering from serious water scarcity, and agricultural lands wear a deserted look.

The dam, built about three years back, was transferred to irrigation department over a year back, and its officials seem to be unresponsive to the crisis gripping the region. The officials, who have failed to call for tenders for the appointment of closure and opening of these gates, are said to be giving reckless replies to the villagers whenever they approach them relating to this issue.

Normally, local workers, who have full knowledge about the timing of the flow of saline and fresh water in the river, are employed for operating the gates. The villagers say that the department officials have shown total neglect towards this task this time, as a result of which, the gates are not being operated satisfactorily.

The dam, which was contracted to G Shaankar, has never been inaugurated. Although the dam has mechanical levers for operating the gates, greasing, painting etc have never been attended during the last three years. As a result, the entire dam shows signs of extensive rusting, wear and tear. People feel that the dam will cease to exist if it is left unattended for two more years.

The villagers from Hemmady, Hunsemakki, Bidkalkatte, Halady, Sauda etc, who were hopeful that the gates of the dam would be shut, and that the depleting underground water table would show improvement, are a disappointed lot now. The people allege that the department officials, who were aware of the ground reality, are bowing under some external pressure and neglecting the regional interests.

When the chief engineer in the department of minor irrigation was contacted by the locals, he reportedly said that sand miners have been objecting to the shutting of the dam’s gates. He said he is approached by different groups, some of which demand for closure of gates, with the others asking not to close them. When he was told that there was no one to operate the gates, he allegedly said there are people to do the same. The villagers said that they had approached him again to get names of the operators, but then the engineer changed his stance, clarifying that tender process for appointing gate operators is on. The people say that the gates can be closed for one week, and then kept open for the next week, so that all the problems are addressed. They are apprehensive that huge amount sanctioned for the maintenance of this dam is going down the drain.

About 750 acres of agricultural lands in the area are reeling under water scarcity. The underground water table, water level in wells and tributaries etc will rise if the gates are closed for a week and then opened a week alternatively, feels Kishen Kumar Kenchanor, a progressive farmer from the region. The officials said they had delayed closure of gates, which usually happens during February end, because of the demand of the sand miners and others. They have now assured that early arrangements would be made to operate the gates.

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_...sp?n_id=168946

[otte bisale]

MRPL to study Mangalore water management scheme

MANGALORE, MARCH 31:
Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) is planning to study a river water management scheme for Mangalore.

Addressing presspersons here on Friday evening as part of the 10th year celebration of the acquisition of MRPL by ONGC Ltd, P.P. Upadhya, Managing Director of MRPL, said that water scarcity in Mangalore had forced the refinery for a temporary shutdown in the last summer.

Mangalore gets good rainfall. In such a situation, there is a need for better water management system. Considering this, the company is proposing to study the management of water in Nethravathi River.

A study costing around Rs 1 crore will be commissioned for this purpose after the completion of elections to the Legislative Assembly in the state, he said. This will be part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

He said that Samrakshan, the CSR programme of MRPL, is scaling up its involvement in sustainable development across fields such as health, education, infrastructure, and sanitation in the region.

The company is also planning to provide digital class room facility for five schools in the region. Under the contract, the service provider would provide five-year annual maintenance to the schools concerned. After five years, the hardware under the digital class room project would be the property of the schools, he said.

Upadhya said that MRPL is planning to construct around 10 bus-shelters from MRPL site to Mangalore city.

On the occasion, the company announced the donation of a computer lab for a school in Harekala village in Mangalore. It also assured the donation of a power generator to Roman and Catherine Lobo School for the Blind in the city.

It may be mentioned here that MRPL had committed Rs 21 crore for the construction of a 12,000 sq ft block for the 162-year-old Lady Goschen Government Hospital in the city.

vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle4567137.ece

[mangalore mania]

MCC to seek poll panel’s nod to de-silt drains

The well-meaning model code of conduct aimed at ensuring free and fair polls may have delayed the cleaning and de-silting rainwater drains in the jurisdiction of Mangalore City Corporation ahead of monsoon.

Usually the corporation undertakes de-silting and cleaned the drains in April-May as a precaution to prevent flooding in rainy season.

read more: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle4602097.ece

[mangalore mania]

Mangalore's 24x7 water supply may get a fillip

MANGALORE: The city's tryst with 24x7 water supply is all set for a revival with newly elected Mangalore City South MLA John Richard Lobo plumping for it in right earnest. The proposal has been hanging fire for some time now given that the previous Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) council headed by the BJP was loathe to decide on implementing this scheme on the grounds it would necessitate a hike in tariff.

After evaluating many models, the civic body had warmed up to the idea of implementing it out of its own funds. Such a move, corporators felt, would give them the power to regulate the water tariff and not leave it to the whims and fancies of a private operator who would otherwise have a say if MCC went in for a PPP model. However, with the idea dragging on for four years, the council dithered on taking a decision in an election year for political reasons.

However, Lobo is not willing to let this idea die a natural death. As former MCC commissioner, he knows quite well the functioning of the civic body. Lobo, who got congratulatory calls from well-wishers, including senior officials of the Asian Development Bank in Delhi, says, "The 24x7 water supply is the way to go about equitable distribution of the water, a large portion of which goes waste otherwise."

Admitting that ADB officials queried him "out of curiosity" about MCC's inclination to implement the 24x7 scheme, Lobo said, "The city's water distribution lines need strengthening in a few places, which will make it possible to implement this scheme without burdening the people." Incidentally, the Mangalore City South assembly constituency covers central areas of the city, most of which are residential in nature.

[mangaloretaxi]

Newly elected MLA J R Lobo visited Thumbay vented dam here on Friday May 17 and conducted an inspection.
He visited the dam in response to complaints by citizens about water scarcity in the city. He inspected the dam and discussed the problems prevailing there with the officials concerned.

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_...sp?n_id=174083

[mangalore mania]

Mangalore sits pretty good on water reserve at Thumbe

MANGALORE: While people of Mysore and Bangalore await the mercy of rain gods as water level in KRS dam plunge to a new low, Mangaloreans are taking it easy.

The water level at Thumbe vented dam, the sole water source of the coastal city, was at its maximum capacity of 13 feet on Friday. This storage is enough for more than 30 days at a depletion rate of four inches per day. Even if the water storage level gets depleted further in the event of a late monsoon, AMR dam with a height of 18.9 metre, will bail out the city. The dam has a storage capacity of 15 metres and it will be sufficient for nearly a month.

read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/20117008.cms

We too have enough water guys.. When the new vented dam is completed, the whole city will have 24x7 water supply



http://vbepaper.com/Details.aspx?id=...&dat=5/18/2013

[mangalore mania]

[mangalore mania]

[mangalore mania]

Teams formed to tackle monsoon emergencies.

MANGALORE: The district administration and Mangalore City Corporation have formed a task force comprising 10 teams to tackle south-west monsoon.

At a meeting held at MCC to review preparedness of the administration for the monsoon, deputy commissioner N Prakash instructed officials to take steps to clear drains and to complete desilting works to prevent artificial flooding by May 25.

read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/20103319.cms

[mangalore mania]

Waste clearance to be monitored online from june

Contractors will take photographs of bins before and after clearing them and upload them

An eight-month-old proposal of Mangalore City Corporation to monitor online the clearance of solid waste from metal and cement bins in the city daily will become a reality in the first week of June, said Commissioner Harish Kumar K.

The corporation officials and others would be able to see if the contractors have cleared the bins or not by logging on to www.cleanmangalore.org, Mr. Kumar told The Hindu.

The corporation has been working to make this proposal a reality since September 2012. A specific software and cell phones were behind this technology of monitoring, he said.

read more: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle4727011.ece

[mangalore mania]

Lobo hints at dropping contractor of Thumbe dam

Expresses concern at the slow progress of work

Expressing concern over delay in the completing of new vented dam across the Netravathi at Thumbe, Mangalore City South MLA J.R. Lobo said on Friday that a decision on whether to terminate the contract of the contractor or not will be taken after the government appoints the district in-charge minister.

read more: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle4727003.ece