MLA for Udupi Yashpal Suvarna on Saturday directed the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) to enforce waste management rules to prevent contamination of water sources in the city and take action against those letting untreated sewage into public places.
Mr. Suvarna said that a proposal has been sent to the government to lay underground drainage (UGD) network in Santhekatte area.
Speaking at a meeting organised to address complaints of residents over discharge of sewage from residential apartments and commercial complexes, Mr. Suvarna said that the CMC is looking for 50 acres to construct a new sewage treatment plant. It is searching for land in Athrady, Parkala, and Hiribettu areas. However, it will have to face opposition from local residents, he said.
Mr. Suvarna instructed apartment residents without UGD connections to use cesspool suction vehicles to empty their septic tanks. He said that the CMC has ordered three advanced cesspool suction vehicles, which can even clear sludge from a distance of 100 metres.
Residents from Moodusagri, Perampalli, and Indrali complained that several apartments, especially in Manipal town, were releasing untreated sewage into public spaces, leading to contamination of several wells.
They sought immediate action, and flat owners who attended the meeting appreciated the CMC for reducing cesspool suction vehicle charges by 50% where no UGD network exists, as per the resolution passed in the CMC’s general body meeting on February 25, 2025.
A resident from Santhekatte pointed out that the UGD connections currently extend only till Ambagilu and urged authorities to expand the network till Santhekatte.
Published – July 19, 2025 09:42 pm IST
