Bhatkal: A team led by Stella Varghese, Project Director of the Uttara Kannada District Urban Development Cell, visited Bhatkal to address continuous complaints regarding sewage from the Ghausia Street pumping station being discharged into the Sarabi River. This contamination has been affecting hundreds of wells in the area. The team conducted a meeting with local municipal and Jali Patan Panchayat councillors, engineers, and chief officers at the TMC Meeting Hall to discuss solutions to the pressing issue.
During the meeting, Varghese explained that untreated sewage from the Ghausia Street pumping station is polluting the Sarabi River and nearby wells, causing serious inconvenience for the local population. As an immediate measure, she proposed the construction of a mini Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Ghausia Street, estimated to cost Rs. 1 crore, of which Rs. 82 lakhs has already been sanctioned by the government.
Municipal Standing Committee Chairman Qaiser Mohtisham, a resident of the affected area, suggested utilizing the allocated funds to purchase two sets of 80 HP pumps and two sets of 50 HP pumps. He emphasized the need for urgent repairs to the wet well, sealing of any sewage leakages, and the overall upgrading of the pumping system. Mohtisham also underscored the importance of cleaning the station to improve its operational efficiency.
The meeting concluded with a decision to promptly initiate the proposed work, incorporating the suggestions presented. The establishment of the mini STP was also discussed, with an action plan to follow. Varghese highlighted the importance of utilizing government funds effectively to resolve the challenges faced by residents.
In addition to the Ghausia Street issue, Rs. 3.5 crore has been allocated for the construction of a full-scale STP to treat sewage from town drains. This will involve the development of a new chamber line and treatment facility within TMC limits. Varghese advised that a comprehensive plan should be drafted after an inspection by the TMC’s environmental and underground drainage engineers to identify necessary reconstruction areas.
The discussion also touched on ongoing underground drainage (UGD) work in Jali Patan Panchayat limits. Vice President Imran Lanka voiced concerns about the potential for system failure in Jali, similar to the challenges experienced in low-lying areas within TMC limits. He noted that unlike in TMC limits, the Jali area lacks rivers or drainage channels to manage untreated sewage in case of a system breakdown. Lanka urged that the UGD project in Jali be carefully executed and developed in consultation with experts to prevent future complications.
Bhatkal Town Municipal Council In-charge President Altaf Kharuri, Jali Patan Panchayat President Afsha Qazia, TMC Chief Officer Neelkant Mesta, Jali Patan Panchayat Chief Officer Manjappa N, Water and Sewerage Engineer Bandekar, Urban Development Cell Assistant Executive Engineer Bhaskar Gowda, Ajay Bhandarkar, TMC Engineer Arvind, Environmental Engineer Venkatesh Nauda, along with councilors Misbah-ul-Haq, Krishnananda Pai, Imshad Mukhtasar, and several other government officials, were present at the meeting.
It is worth noting that the Sarabi River Horata Samiti had previously submitted a memorandum to district officials, including the municipal chief officer, giving them a one-month ultimatum to clean up and resolve the Sarabi River issue.
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