Mangaluru: Mangaluru: The Nethravati river, the lifeline of Dakshina Kannada district, is allegedly being polluted by contaminated water, including sewage discharged from residential complexes in Uppinangady.Social activist Kailar Rajagopal Bhat said contaminated water from a residential apartment complex flows into the riverbed and eventually merges with the Nethravati river. He told TOI that residents have repeatedly complained about the pollution, but no lasting action has been taken.“I have raised the issue of sewage being discharged into the river in Uppinangady at several meetings. I have also discussed it in detail with officials and sought a permanent solution. Every time the authorities intervene, the discharge stops temporarily. However, within a few days, the practice resumes and the river continues to be polluted,” he said.Bhat pointed out that thousands of devotees take a holy dip in the river near the Sri Sahasra Lingeshwara Mahakali Temple in Uppinangady, as they consider its waters sacred. “Most devotees are unaware of the potential health risks posed by the contamination. Although scientific methods for treating sewage are available, they are not being implemented. Instead, untreated sewage is allegedly released into the river at night, causing a foul stench across the area,” he said.He suggested that households along the riverbank construct soak pits and adopt proper sewage disposal systems to prevent pollution.MLA orders actionFollowing complaints from local residents about the unbearable stench caused by the alleged discharge of sewage into the river at night, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai directed officials to take strict action against those responsible..
