Mangaluru, November 13: A special meeting was chaired by Asha Thimmappa Gowda at Zilla Panchayat hall on November 12th, Wednesday, during which member Rithesh Shetty drew their attention towards the Mangaluru Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) problems.
Zilla Panchayat members have alleged that the locals are suffering due to the problems in Mangaluru Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) area. The members expressed their grievances stating that the locals are confused to whom they should complain regarding the problems such as waste management and the damaged roads.
In addition, a bund constructed on a stream that flows outside MSEZ has caused problem to about 150 acre agriculture land around the Special Economic Zone. Due to rise in the water-level during rainy season, agriculture land was submerged, hampering the agriculture activities, he said. He demanded the authorities to take action to remove the bund so that artificial flood does not occur.
Around 2000 workers are working at MSEZ. During night, their toilet waste is let out to the stream and the empty slot belonging to the SEZ. This has created problems for the locals. The roads used by many vehicles are in bad condition and if we request MSEZ to repair the roads, they say it is the responsibility of the MRPL. MRPL says it is not concerned to them. To whom should we express our grievances? A school is left over and all the areas are encroached here complained Rithesh Shetty.
The school holds strength of 140 students. No substitute has been provided to it complained Rithesh shetty. Responding to this, ZP CEO Tulasi Maddeneni said, MSEZ must demarcate separate land to the school and also build a school and then shift the school, she said.
ZP Vice President Sathish Kumpala complained about the mass death of fishes in a stream that passes through Malavoor due to industrial effluents released to the stream.
Mangalore Assistant commissioner Ashok said, this was already discussed with the SEZ. They have assured of repairing the stream within three months. They have requested the Deputy Commissioner to grant permission to shift the school.
The DC A.B. Ibrahim assured them of discussing the matter in the SEZ review meeting.
Illegal quarrying:
ZP Member Eshwar Kateel complained of illegal quarrying of laterite stone in 65 acre land at Arasulepadav village in Yekkar. Despite the authorities concerned not issuing NOC for carrying out quarrying in the government land, illegal quarrying is taking place profusely in the area.
In response, an official from mines and geology department said that quarrying is allowed in government land if the leaseholder pays royalty to the government. The department which took notice of the matter had raided the quarrying and collected a penalty of Rs 9.80 lakhs, he said.
Nandini river pollution: Despite several inspections and orders by the government authorities, the issue of Nandini river pollution due to waste water flown from Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple to the river, continues to exist. Eshwar Kateel ZP member from Kateel constituency criticised the temple management for not responding to the matter. However, the temple manager said that the temple will implement the first phase of sewage treatment plant within 15 days and the work on second phase too has started. The DC who was irritated over the answer, insisted the temple management to come up with a comprehensive plan on sewage treatment at Kateel.
Land for housing sites:
When the issue of distributing government land for housing sites to the poor was raised in the meeting, DK DC A B Ibrahim in response said that 476 acre in the district is handed over to the GPs.
Deputy commissioner A.B Ibrahim, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Tulasi Maddineni was present.
