Bhatkal: The continued discharge of untreated sewage from the Underground Drainage (UGD) pumping station on Ghausia Street into the Sarabi river has triggered strong resentment among residents of Ghausia Street, Mushma Street, Khalifa Street and Daranta.
Residents say the once-clean river has turned into a polluted drain, with foul odour, mosquito breeding and concerns over contamination of wells posing serious environmental and public health risks. The affected residents are preparing for a protest, demanding an immediate and permanent solution.
Apart from the municipal authorities, some residents have also questioned the role of the Majlis-e-Islah-wa-Tanzeem, alleging that assurances given to the local community at the time of setting up the pumping station have not been honoured.
When residents approached the Bhatkal Municipal Office, Assistant Engineer Aravind said the pumping station was constructed by the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB), while its maintenance had been entrusted to the municipality.
He maintained that both pumps were functioning normally and sewage was being pumped to the Venkatapur river, about four kilometres away, at a higher elevation. However, he said, excess sewage accumulating in the wet well could be overflowing into the Sarabi river because the existing system was unable to handle the increased volume.
According to Aravind, the pumping station and wet well were designed nearly 20 years ago, when sewage inflow was considerably lower. He said the system now required comprehensive re-engineering, as routine maintenance alone could not address the problem.
The wider UGD network is also reported to have ageing manholes and damaged pipelines, with sewage leakage raising concerns about groundwater contamination. The problem is compounded by rainwater entering the underground drainage system in several areas. UGD connections from Gulmi, Bunder Road and other localities are reportedly linked to the same wet well, while residents of Asarkeri have also raised complaints about contaminated wells.
Engineer proposes Rs 10-crore sewage treatment plant:
As a long-term solution, Bhatkal-born engineer Jeelani Mohtisham, who holds a senior position at an engineering company in Dubai, has proposed setting up a modern wastewater treatment plant.
During a recent visit to Bhatkal, Mohtisham inspected the Ghausia Street pumping station and reviewed the town's UGD infrastructure. He said repairing pumps and pipelines would not be sufficient and that sewage needed to undergo scientific treatment to remove solid waste, organic pollutants and harmful microorganisms.
Citing advanced treatment systems used in countries such as Japan, he said treated water could be reused for gardening, parks and other non-potable purposes. Given concerns over the maintenance of treatment facilities by civic bodies, he also suggested that treated water could be conveyed through a separate pipeline to the Venkatapur river, subject to the required quality standards and environmental clearances.
Based on his preliminary assessment, a modern treatment plant could be established in Bhatkal at an estimated cost of around Rs 10 crore. The actual cost would depend on the volume of sewage to be treated, plant capacity and technology adopted.
Mohtisham stressed that regular maintenance, trained personnel, reliable power supply and monitoring of water quality would be essential to ensure the plant's long-term functioning.
With sewage continuing to flow into the Sarabi river, residents are now looking to the municipal authorities and local organisations to take concrete steps to address the problem and protect the river and the surrounding communities.