Appalled over pathetic condition of Udupi STP, Upa Lokayukta directs booking officials of CMC and KSPCB
The Hindu
Upa Lokayukta B. Veerappa criticizes Udupi's STP condition, directing action against officials for negligence and environmental harm.
Upa Lokayukta B. Veerappa expressed serious displeasure at the City Municipal Council and the Karnataka State Pollution control Board (KSPCB) over the poor condition of the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Nittur that treats the sewage of Udupi city.
The Upa Lokayukta, who is touring the district since February 26, visited the STP at Nittur on February 27 morning, along with the officials concerned.
Despite spending nearly ₹3 lakh on maintenance of the STP, the water being let out from the plant remains black and continues to stink even after undergoing six stages of treatment, he noted. Expressing anguish at poorly treated water being discharged into Arabian Sea through Indrani rivulet, Mr. Veerappa said that people are being made to consume poison indirectly.
Having inspected STPs in 18 districts of Karnataka so far, the Upa Lokayukta said, “Nowhere have I seen such a non-functional STP like that in Udupi.”
Upset over the condition of the STP, he directed that cases be booked against the officials concerned in the CMC and the KSPCB for negligence.
The STP was commissioned in 2010 by the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC). It is due for upgradation at an estimated cost of ₹30 crore. Though the funds have been sanctioned, the upgradation work has not yet commenced.
Top surrendered Maoist leaders meet Telangana CM and Home Minister at Secretariat to discuss their transition and reintegration.
Novartis settles with Henrietta Lacks' estate over the unauthorized use of her cells that advanced medical research.
Nearly 4,000 Indian pilgrims embark for Katchatheevu to celebrate the St. Anthony's Church festival on February 27-28.
India's dengue vaccine enters final trials, offering hope for affordable, single-dose solutions to combat the global epidemic.
AIADMK celebrates Panneerselvam's shift to DMK, while Sasikala decries it as unfortunate and labels DMK an "evil force."
NDA's Karnataka CM candidate remains undecided, says R. Ashok, emphasizing alliance discussions and leadership involvement ahead of elections.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi highlights the Union Budget's focus on youth skills, criticizing Keralam's misunderstanding of its significance.
G. Sai Prasad will become Andhra Pradesh's new Chief Secretary on February 28, succeeding K. Vijayanand.
Explore how medical tourism is transforming hospital infrastructure, emphasizing design, sustainability, and patient experience in global healthcare.
Crisil launches i360, a unified, GenAI-led research, data and analytics platform
Maharashtra aims to become a trillion-dollar economy in five years, says CM Devendra Fadnavis amid various political discussions.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to present his 17th Budget on March 6 — a record in the state’s history.
AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sissodia, and 21 others, get clean chit in the case while CBI has decided to appeal against the decision. Here is a timeline of events that unfolded in the Delhi Excise Policy case.