₹1,500 crore sought for repair of underground drainage network in Mangaluru: Ivan D’Souza

Ivan D’Souza seeks ₹1,500 crore from CM Siddaramaiah for Mangaluru's underground drainage repairs and other development projects.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been asked to earmark ₹1,500 crore in the forthcoming State budget for repair of underground drainage network in Mangaluru, said Ivan D’Souza, MLC, in Mangaluru on Saturday, February 28.

Talking to reporters, Mr. D’Souza said he recently met Mr. Siddaramaiah and sought funds to repair the damaged portion of the drainage network in Mangaluru. In some areas, the old sewage pipeline is damaged. There are also areas where old manholes are leaking. The ₹ 1,500 crore is needed in phases, he said.

Because of the damage, untreated sewage is flowing into river streams and polluting ground water. He has submitted a detailed report to the government about failure of working of some Sewage Treatment Plants, which Is also adding to the pollution of ground water.

The MLC said he has also sought funds for developing the road along the 320 km-long Karnataka coastline under public private partnership (PPP). This road is required for coastal tourism development. The cost for developing the road will is around ₹12 crore per kilometre. The Sasihitlu and Bengre beaches should also be developed under the PPP model. He has also sought ₹100 crore package for completing the Mangaluru Smart City project and other pending development works in the city.

Mr. D’Souza said he was hopeful of the government sanctioning ₹55 crore, which is necessary to complete the construction of a compound wall and other infrastructure works of the new Mangaluru prison building coming up near Mudipu.