M’lore: Locals Oppose MSEZ plans to install effluents releasing gate-valve into Kullaru Canal

Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 7 Mar 2014: The residents of Permude, Kuttettoor, Madya and Mukka, near here aggrieved over the plans of Mangalore Special Economic Zone Limited (MSEZ), to install a gate valve to the main pipeline line of effluents at the low-lying areas of Kuttettoor, near Kullaru, here as the work on this line is under way to discharge the effluents of MSEZ into Arabian Sea at nearby Mukka shoreline. 

 
When the locals enquired MSEZ engineer in this regard, he said that the gate-valve has been installed to release the effluents in case of emergency.  It has further caused anguish among the locals because they have let the MSEZ authorities to acquire their farmlands to lay effluent main line to release it at nearby Mukka shore.   Meanwhile, the locals are getting ready to stage protest against the shoddy plan of MSEZ to release the effluents to a canal by already installed gate-valve at Kuttettoor.  The locals condemn the attempts of MSEZ to turn their surroundings into slums in the limits Kuttettoor, Panja, Soorinje and Pavanje, by releasing the effluents without consulting the locals and peoples representatives.

 

 

 
The locals recalled the incident of MRPL when the canal was flooded with effluents that caused environmental disaster in farmlands.  Therefore, the locals strongly oppose the plans of MSEZ to release effluents to Kullaru canal in their neighbourhood.

 
The already installed gate-valve when released can carry the effluents through Kullaru canal, flowing through Kuttettoor, Soorinje and Panja villages and confluences at Shambavi river in Pavanje gram panchayat. If in case, it was allowed, the effluents can pollute the open wells that are used to fetch drinking water, pollute underground water resources and rendering thousands of hectares of farmlands infertile.  The locals urge MSEZ authorities either to close the gate-valve or they would do so at their own interest, cautioned the locals. 

 
When the media persons contacted Permude gram panchayat president Sandesh over the issue, Sandesh said that he has no info but he will go to the site and if in case it’s a disastrous in the interest of locals, swift action will be taken with concerned authorities.