Mangaluru: Residents of Boloor under Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) have been demanding an underground drainage (UGD) network for decades, but the project remains incomplete despite repeated memorandums to authorities.Though the area has a large number of houses, the city corporation has been unable to lay UGD pipelines due to technical reasons.Ganesh Gulwady, president of the Ashoka Park Association, told TOI it is the duty of the govt to provide a basic facility like UGD. “Even though the pipeline was laid for a small stretch several years ago, the completion never took place for various reasons. Nearly 300 residents in the area urge the authorities to complete the work as soon as possible and provide a connection to every house. People’s representatives have been giving assurances of fulfilling their demands but nothing has been done so far,” he said.He said his apartment has a working sewage treatment plant (STP), while some houses and small apartments discharge waste into drains. “Officials cite a 230metre rock stretch beneath the surface as the hurdle to lay UGD pipelines in the area. There are technologies in place to overcome such hurdles. However, the officials are reluctant to solve the issue,” he said.Mangaluru City South MLA held a meeting with senior officials, organisations and local residents on the issue. The MLA said funds were earmarked from Karnataka Urban Development and Coastal Environmental Management Project (KUDCEMP), but the project could not be realised due to geographical challenges such as underground rock formations, said Kamath.Officials estimate the project will require nearly Rs 3 crore. The MLA assured he would continue efforts to resolve the issue at any cost. Meanwhile, MLC Ivan D’Souza also met residents and assured them of a solution.
