Mangaluru: Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has served notices on houses and apartments near the historic Moilykere lake at Mahakalipadpu after sewage from surrounding areas was found entering the water body.Moilykere, also known as Shettibettu Kere and developed by the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), continues to remain polluted even years after it was handed over to the MCC. The civic body has decided to initiate legal action under the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976.The issue of lake pollution was raised in the state legislature by MLC Ivan D’Souza, who brought it to the notice of Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh. D’Souza said the minister, during a visit to the city, observed that the lakes were being polluted by sewage inflow from surrounding areas. Although the minister sought an action-taken report, there was a lapse by officials, he said.“The minister has stated in his reply that an inspection was conducted at Moilykere in Mahakalipadpu, where there is no underground drainage (UGD) network. Houses in the surrounding areas have leach pits. Some houses and apartments have been allowing sewage to flow into the drains. Hence, notices were served on Feb 20 and March 14. The minister has warned that legal action under sections 225 and 263(5) will be initiated against violators,” D’Souza said.He said the process of identifying land for constructing a wet well required for providing a UGD network in the area is ongoing.TOI has previously highlighted the issue of sewage inflow polluting the historic Moilykere lake due to the lack of underground drainage connections.Local residents said providing UGD connections is the lasting solution to prevent pollution and restore the lake. Nearly 400 houses in the Mahakalipadpu, Adarsh Nagar, Shettibettu, and Jeppupatna areas lack UGD connections. Residents said they have been requesting UGD connections from MLAs, ministers, and MCC officials for the past six years.
