Mangaluru City Corporation has allocated Rs 25 crore for repairs to leaking wet wells and related underground drainage issues in Iddya, Surathkal, after residents complained of groundwater pollution and recurring leakage. MCC commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey announced the proposed work during his second Walk with the Commissioner programme in Surathkal on Thursday.
Residents of Iddya told the commissioner that leaking wet wells were affecting the area and could be contaminating groundwater. Pandey said a study would be conducted before the necessary repair work is taken up. The allocation is intended to address the underground drainage, or UGD, problems identified in the locality.
The wet wells form part of the local wastewater system. Their leakage has become a public concern because residents have linked it to possible groundwater pollution. The commissioner said the issue would be resolved shortly, although the report did not specify the timeline for the study, the repair package or completion of the work.
The visit also led to an immediate directive concerning waste-collection vehicles parked at the Surathkal urban primary health centre. Residents said the vehicles created a foul smell that affected patients and visitors to the facility, as well as people using a nearby Indira Canteen.
According to MCC officials, nearly 30 waste-collection vehicles serving the Surathkal region are parked at the UPHC premises every day. The location is convenient for civic workers to assemble before beginning collection work, but residents said the practice was causing distress around the healthcare facility.
Pandey directed officials to ensure that the vehicles are not parked near the UPHC. He suggested that they identify an alternative location near the road. The report said the vehicles would instead be parked by the roadside in front of the UPHC, while officials were asked to find a suitable arrangement.
The commissioner also addressed demands linked to Surathkal’s local infrastructure and street economy. A proposal for a vending zone along Surathkal Market Road will be presented to the Mangaluru City Corporation’s Town Vending Committee, which will consider the request.
Varun Chowta from Hosabettu raised the long-pending demand to widen a bridge in Surathkal. He said traffic congestion had become a regular problem on the major road stretch because of the narrow bridge. The road also leads to MRPL and carries a large number of vehicles, he said.
In response, the commissioner instructed officials to prepare a plan and submit a proposal at the earliest. Residents of Priyadarshini Layout separately raised concerns about drinking water being supplied on alternate days. The report did not specify any immediate decision or timeline on the water-supply issue.
