Sewage into Kumaradhara leaves greens worried

Mangaluru: Greens have expressed concern over the quality of water at Kumaradhara in Subrahmanya.
In a video that has gone viral, greens have expressed concern after a spot inspection revealed that sewerage was being let into the river directly. They alleged that lodges and hotels located around Kukke Subrahmanya temple that records thousands of devotees visiting everyday are letting waste water and sewage directly into the river. They blamed authorities concerned for ignoring this grave situation as the river merges with Netravati river at Uppinangadi and is the source of drinking water for the people of Dakshina Kannada.
The temple authorities passed the buck to the panchayat. An officer said, “We have a system for waste treatment in place. There is a mutt, hotels, and lodges in the area. The panchayat must be blamed.”
The officer agreed that there was a technical problem with the UGD plant, but said that biochemical treatment takes place as per the prescribed guidelines.
The panchayat officials maintained that an inspection was held and the water samples have been sent for testing. A delegation including Prashanth Bhat Manila, panchayat member, Rajesh NS, vice president, members from Namma Subrahmanya organisation, health officials and PDO Muthappa conducted an inspection on Sunday. They also visited hotels, lodges and nearby shops. PDO Muthappa said, “We have raised the issue with the deputy commissioner who has assured that an expert committee will be constituted to study river pollution. We have also visited hotels to check waste disposal system,” he said.
Meanwhile, locals blamed the STP unit. The water was not being treated properly before being let into the river. The panchayat has also issued notices to hotels that have failed to take up waste treatment measures.