Mangaluru Civic Body Initiates Legal Action Over Sewage Pollution at Historic Lake
The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has taken decisive legal steps against residential properties near the historic Moilykere lake at Mahakalipadpu after discovering sewage contamination entering the water body. Notices have been officially served to multiple houses and apartments in the vicinity following inspections that confirmed ongoing pollution issues.
Persistent Pollution Despite Development Efforts
Moilykere, also known locally as Shettibettu Kere, was originally developed by the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) but continues to suffer from pollution years after being transferred to MCC's management. The civic authority has now decided to pursue legal remedies under the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act of 1976 to address the environmental violation.
The pollution crisis gained political attention when MLC Ivan D'Souza raised the matter in the state legislature, bringing it directly to Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh's notice. During a subsequent visit to Mangaluru, Minister Suresh personally observed how sewage inflow from surrounding residential areas was contaminating the lake ecosystem.
Official Response and Legal Warnings
"The minister confirmed in his official reply that an inspection was conducted at Moilykere in Mahakalipadpu, where there is currently no underground drainage (UGD) network infrastructure," explained D'Souza. "Most houses in the surrounding areas rely on leach pits, but some properties have been allowing sewage to flow directly into drainage systems."
MCC served formal notices on February 20 and March 14 to violators, with the minister warning that legal action would be initiated under Sections 225 and 263(5) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act against those who continue to pollute the lake. Despite the minister requesting an action-taken report earlier, officials had failed to adequately address the situation until now.
Infrastructure Challenges and Community Concerns
The fundamental issue stems from the absence of proper underground drainage connections in the area. D'Souza noted that the process of identifying land for constructing a necessary wet well to support UGD network implementation is currently ongoing, though progress has been slow.
Local residents have consistently advocated for UGD connections as the only lasting solution to prevent pollution and restore Moilykere lake's ecological health. Approximately 400 houses across Mahakalipadpu, Adarsh Nagar, Shettibettu, and Jeppupatna areas lack proper sewage connections to the municipal system.
"Residents have been requesting UGD connections from their elected representatives, ministers, and MCC officials for the past six years without adequate resolution," community members reported. The Times of India has previously highlighted how sewage inflow continues to pollute the historic lake due to this critical infrastructure gap.
The current legal action represents MCC's most significant effort to date to address the persistent pollution threatening Moilykere lake, though infrastructure development remains essential for a permanent solution to the environmental crisis.
