Mangaluru: Calling Mangaluru’s underground drainage network the city’s biggest civic challenge, MLC Ivan D’Souza alleged that despite rapid growth, successive state and central govts had failed to implement a comprehensive underground drainage (UGD) project, limiting efforts to minor repairs.Addressing mediapersons on Saturday, D’Souza said the Karnataka Legislature’s Committee on Public Undertakings has submitted its recommendations to the state govt following its recent visit to Mangaluru. The committee has recommended Rs 1,250 crore for the comprehensive redevelopment of the UGD system.The committee submitted its 139th report (2025-26) to the govt after reviewing CAG observations and conducting field inspections. The report and its recommendations are expected to be discussed in the upcoming assembly session, he said.D’Souza said the committee recommended prioritising underground drainage works, ensuring full reuse of treated wastewater, addressing shortcomings to prevent wasteful expenditure, and preparing a detailed project report (DPR) to facilitate approvals, funding and timely implementation.He said that the urban development minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah and urged the state govt to initiate the project, also submitting the committee’s report. The urban development department has written to the govt to appoint a consultant for the DPR. He added that he would invite the minister to Mangaluru to discuss the project.He said the project needs funding from both the state and the Centre and urged MPs and MLAs to support its implementation instead of politicising the issue.He accused the BJP of blaming the “Congress-led MCC” whenever problems related to the UGD system arise and questioned what Mangaluru City South MLA Vedavyas Kamath had done to secure funding for a comprehensive underground drainage project.SIR in slow pace, should be expedited: IvanMLC Ivan D’Souza Saturday urged the Election Commission (EC) to strengthen the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) in Dakshina Kannada, saying the exercise had created considerable public confusion.Claiming that nearly 80% of booth-level officers (BLOs) were not effectively carrying out the exercise despite training, D’Souza sought additional practical training and deployment of experts to assist BLOs in filling forms and guiding voters. Many voters were yet to receive enumeration forms despite officials claiming they had been distributed.He said the requirement to provide 2002 electoral roll details would be difficult for many voters, especially the elderly, less educated, and those in rural and tribal areas. He urged BLOs to assist them in filling the forms. English versions of the forms have also been sought.D’Souza alleged that some BLOs were demanding that enumeration forms be completed within a day and said they should personally visit every household three times. He also sought clarity on voter photographs, saying the photo-capturing app had not been effectively implemented in the district.He urged officials to enrol eligible voters, update death and migration records, ensure impartiality, and strengthen manpower to complete the exercise on time.
