MCC proposes to rejuvenate four more waterbodies amid concerns over flow of sewage to already dredged bodies

The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has proposed to rejuvenate four more waterbodies. However, water in some bodies already rejuvenated remains non-potable with continued flow of sewage.

The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has proposed to rejuvenate four more waterbodies. However, water in some bodies already rejuvenated remains non-potable with continued flow of sewage.

The MCC has now proposed to spend ₹26.95 crore for the rejuvenation of four more waterbodies and development of three parks under the second phase of the Centrally-sponsored Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0.

The council of the civic body in its meeting on November 28 approved this proposal. Of the total project cost, ₹1.95 crore has been allocated for the operation and maintenance.

The waterbodies proposed for rejuvenation are Jogimatta and adjacent lakes (₹2.4 crore); Byradi lake (₹1.35 crore); Baggundi lake (₹14 crore) and Kadekar Mallikarjuna lake (₹3.7 crore). The parks proposed for development are Souharda lane park (₹55 lakh); Kodical Kallakanda Park (₹2.2 crore) and Kadri Park (₹2.75 crore).

Of the lakes proposed for rejuvenation, the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) had invested in the rejuvenation of Byradi lake and Jogimatta lake when Ravishankar Mijar was the chairman between 2019-20 and 2022-23.

Asked about proposing to rejuvenate the two waterbodies again, an official of the corporation told The Hindu said, “The scope of rejuvenation is wide. It need not be taken into account only for dredging. It could be preventing seepage of sewage to water bodies or their beautification. The government appointed consultant for the proposed projects will identity the scope of work to which the fund under AMRUT 2.0 should be invested as per the guidelines. Hence the scope of work is yet to be identified.”

Nemu Kottari, Secretary, Gujjarakere Teertha Samrakshana Samithi, Jeppu, told The Hindu that merely removing silt and beautifying waterbodies without stopping flow of sewage serves no purpose.