Upa Lokayukta Pulls Up Officials over Dumping Yard, Flyover Conditions
Coastal Talk News | Karwar
Karnataka Upa Lokayukta Justice K.N. Phaneendra inspected various parts of Karwar on Wednesday and expressed strong displeasure over the conditions at the municipal dumping yard in Shirwad and the area beneath the highway flyover in the city. At the dumping yard, Justice Phaneendra expressed concern over the unhygienic conditions and questioned officials over alleged lapses in their duties. He took serious note of the improper disposal of waste, delays in handling wet and dry waste, poor maintenance of drains and the impact on the surrounding environment.
Local residents informed him that contaminated liquid waste from the facility was seeping directly into the ground, raising concerns about pollution of nearby wells and drinking water sources. They also pointed to the increased presence of mosquitoes and flies and the possible risk of infectious diseases.
Upa Lokayukta said a suo motu case would be initiated over the issue. He directed the district administration to constitute a high-level committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner to conduct a scientific assessment of the dumping yard and submit a comprehensive report. Officials from the Forest Department, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Public Works Department, Zilla Panchayat CEO and health department were to be included in the committee. He also directed authorities to examine relocating the waste facility to a suitable location away from residential areas, if necessary.
Justice Phaneendra also expressed strong displeasure over the alleged unauthorised parking of vehicles and other activities beneath the city’s flyover. He directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials to submit a written explanation regarding the matter and said a report would be forwarded to the Lokpal.
During the inspection, he questioned a nursery plant vendor operating beneath the flyover without apparent permission. He said merely issuing notices or imposing fines would not be sufficient and directed officials to consider criminal action and seizure of goods and vehicles in cases of continued violations. He also instructed authorities to install gates around the flyover area to prevent vehicle parking and develop the space as a park area through the Horticulture Department.
