Exclusive: More delays in fixing Bhatkal's underground drainage system; top official promises action in two months

Bhatkal 5 December 2018: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) To those facing difficulties in areas like Ghousia street due to the poor under-ground drainage system, which has manipulated  waters of several wells of the homes in and around the locality let alone a full river, can now breath at ease as one of the top officials of TMC has promised action and fixing to the problem in next three months. Bhatkal TMC President Sadiq Matta, while speaking exclusively with Bhatkallys.com on Wednesday 5 December at his office informed that the resolution to call for the tenders to set-up an Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) has been approved in the Council meeting and that the process to call for tenders can be expected to begin within next 15 days. Bhatkallys.com met TMC President to know more about the developmental work done undertaken and completed during his term as he will be closing on his three year's term in March next year. Sadiq elaborated on the work initiated and completed during his period, while also adding that if everything goes well, this (UGD Plant) will be the biggest achievement in his term as the TMC President. "For now, I think the regulation we made of door-to-door garbage picking thereby zeroing down garbage on roads and streets has been a big task accomplished during my term, three years back comparatively there was garbage all over the streets and roads, now there is nothing, we have very well managed the garbage management system, that is something I' am proud of, as people especially NRIs who used to visit the town once in a year would always complain about it, now they are happy with the way things have panned out" Sadiq added. "If we can successfully manage to fix the UGD issue, it will be the biggest achievement, we are dedicated towards it and we hope it will be done before the term ends" he further added. "The grant of about Rs. 200 crore was sanctioned two-years ago, but we had some technical issues to not go ahead with it, so it is all cleared, we have also secured a five gunta land for setting up the STP, once STP is set-up the water dispensed in the river will be clean and drinkable free from all the smell, the effected wells will also be cleared for drinking" Sadiq said. Speaking of developmental work Sadiq also mentioned that about 400 sewage chambers will be reconstructed in the town with concrete materials at the cost of about 1.80 crores, this will also be done within a month. Asked about his contention of contesting the TMC elections again and whether he will be in the race for the post of the President once again Sadiq added "There are reservations on three out of four wards in my locality, there is only one ward available, now if the people want me to contest from there then I' am in, but at times the people too want to see new faces and don't want the repeaters, in such case I will happily abide by their decision and make way for whoever the people want" he said before concluding. (Bhatkallys Special Reports Bureau/ Ismail Zaorez)