Locals raise concern over discharge of greywater near school

Mangaluru: Locals have raised concern over the unscientific discharge of greywater into an open stormwater drain near the Uppinangady upgraded model school. The children are suffering because of the stench emanating in the area due to this. Locals and parents of the students, have alleged that a residential complex, and a few houses nearby, are discharging greywater into an open drain.
The absence of a proper drainage system, is causing problems for locals, and 530 students at the school.
Mohiuddin Kutty, SDMC member, said that Uppinangady is prone to vector-borne diseases. The open drain has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The teachers are forced to close all the doors of classrooms, and light mosquito coils. “The SDMC, parents and locals have submitted several requests and oral complaints to the panchayat, regarding this issue,” he said, and alleged that no action is taken, because a panchayat member’s close relatives, live in the residential complex. About 130 children in an anganwadi and in LKG and UKG standards, are worst-hit, because their block is located close to the drain, he said.
At the panchayat general meeting held on August 23, a delegation of SDMC members, along with parents, submitted a fresh complaint, and warned of a protest, if the problem was not resolved within a week. Following this, a protest was held in front of the local panchayat on August 30. Children also participated. However, the protest was withdrawn, after Uppinangady panchayat president Usha Muliya and other members visited the spot, and assured that as a temporary solution, the drain will be cleaned. Within the next 15 days, the panchayat has promised a permanent solution to the issue.
Following this assurance, the protest was withdrawn. However, Kutty said that a mega protest will be held, in case the panchayat fails to keep its word.
Uppinangady PDO Wilfred Rodrigues, said that wastewater from nearly 30 houses, including 20 from a residential complex, is discharged in the open, causing inconvenience to schoolchildren. “We have cleaned the drain as a temporary solution, and asked the households to either construct ‘ingu gundi’(pits for wastewater collection), or to vacate their houses. They have asked for more time, since it has been raining,” he said.