Mangaluru: Stringent action now awaits fish trucks that spill effluents on road

Anusha N Bhat
May 14, 2019

In an attempt to dissuade fish transporters from discharging waste effluents on roads and foul smell in the surroundings, Dakshina Kannada district administration has decided to enforce ‘Kerala model’ to plug the practice of unhygienic fish transportation.

The police department has issued a notice to all ‘Fish Transporters’ to retrofit their carriages with leak-proof insulation. Further, the transporters are required to store the fish within the crates, so that ice in the storage container melts within the vehicles. “Similar to Kerala, that has banned transportation of fish in ‘open’ vehicle, following a 2013 order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), we have decided to do so. If the vehicles fail to comply, we will impose a fine of Rs. 5000, and then in case of repeat offence we will seize the vehicle,” Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil said in a weekly police phone-in programme.

A major fishing centre, Mangaluru is home to over 1,830 fishing boats and allied industry including fish-meal. Fish is not only a preferred local delicacy but also is in great demand for export. The transportation trucks play a crucial role in providing the last-mile connectivity between the fishermen, ports and the consumers.

However, for years, hundreds of local residents, motorist and pedestrians have allayed concerns of the fish transporting vehicles discharging slimy and sticky water on road, due to the melting ice used to store fish. Including stale and leftover products – that fills the areas with foul smell and even leading up to accident of the two-wheeler motorists. “The wastewater contains oil, which can be very dangerous for two wheeler riders, who may skid and it can prove fatal. Also, the cats and dogs are attracted to the fish that falls-off the vehicle, eventually they are overrun by the passing motorist,” Vasantha Kumar, a local resident said.

Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada Sasikanth Senthil S said the policy will not allow fish transporting vehicles to function in city limits if they are not fitted with waste water tanks. “The vehicles must have inbuilt, water collection containers, else they have to face legal consequences. We have already begun imposing fines on over 200 vehicles violating the rules and we will continue to do so” he said.

While fish transport agencies said that they will take initiative to contain the spill of waste water, transporters add that their concern also must be looked into. However, talking about the concerns of the fish transporters, former Mayor K Ashraf said that the vehicles which go for long drives, have collection tanks and most of the time they make sure that the tanks gate-valves are properly closed. “But the mini-tempos which transport fish for the city limit and the vehicles which transport fish meal, are responsible for the spill, causing accidents of two wheelers and animals,” he said.

Further, Lawrence P, a fish transporting truck driver adds that while they are concerned about environment like others, the administration is simply doing away with its responsibility. “The NGT order also says that major markets run by state or the local authority must have wastewater collection or septic tanks at prefixed locations. But, no one is working to provide such facility, unlike Kerala or Goa that have underground septic tanks and soak pits that processes waste fish water. We are forced to release the water since the carrier gets flooded,” he said.

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News Network
March 27,2024

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At least seven people have been killed when Israeli warplanes bombed an emergency center in southern Lebanon near the border with the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories with air-to-surface missiles, according to Lebanese security sources.

Two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity said early on Wednesday that the strike targeted the Islamic Group’s emergency and relief center in Lebanon’s southern village of Habbariyeh.

Jamaa Islamiya, a Lebanese group closely linked to the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, said in a statement that “a number” of people had been killed, and called the strike a “heinous crime.”

An official from the group said “seven rescuers” were killed in the aerial assault.

Another Jamaa Islamiya official, also requesting anonymity, said a dozen medical staff were in the emergency center at the time of the strike, adding that bodies were being pulled from the rubble.

Lebanese lawmaker Hassan Mrad said “the Israeli aggression on Habbariyeh adds to the long list of Israeli crimes.”

Israel has been launching air strikes against Lebanon since the beginning of its onslaught against the Gaza Strip in early October.

An Israeli strike knocked down part of a building in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh on February 14, killing seven members of the same family, including a child, Lebanon’s official National News Agency said. A boy initially reported missing was found alive under the rubble.

In a separate Israeli attack, a woman and her two children were killed in the village of as-Sawana in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli regime launched its devastating hostilities in the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the territory’s Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

Israel's raids have resulted in retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the Tel Aviv regime continues its onslaught on Gaza.

The Israeli campaign in Gaza has killed at least 32,414 people, most of them women and children. Another 74,787 individuals have also been wounded.

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News Network
March 28,2024

Mangaluru, Mar 28: Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP has warned the individuals and political parties against the poll code violations during private events. 
 
“Private events such as marriages, birthdays, housewarming ceremonies, and other non-political programmes do not require any permission. However, one should ensure that there is no violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) at these functions. Permission is needed if the events are attended by politicians or candidates,” the DC said. 

He said that these gatherings will be under the surveillance of MCC teams, as there are chances of luring voters by campaigning and supplying food, said the DC. The district has 38,386 new voters, of which, 19,619 are men.

He said that the notification of election in Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency will be issued soon, and the filing of nominations will be held between 11 am and 3 pm till April 4. 

Only five persons, including the candidate, will be allowed to enter the returning officer’s chamber to submit the nominations. A facilitation centre will be opened at the DC’s office. 

The expenditure of the candidate will be counted from the day the candidate files the nomination.

The DC said that the district is not an expenditure-sensitive constituency. Assistant expenditure observers and expenditure observers will monitor the expenditure of the candidates. An expenditure book will be provided to the candidate to record expenditure incurred, he explained.

Further, he said that no election materials can be printed without the name and address of the publishers, and the number of copies printed. Separate permission should be availed for procession prior to the submission of nomination papers from the ARO office, through the single-window system.

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News Network
March 14,2024

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Udupi: In a freak mishap, a 65-year-old man lost his life after being hit by his own bus which was being repaired at a garage at Athrady in Udupi district on Wednesday, March 13.

The deceased has been identified as Dayanand Shetty, the owner of a private bus.

It is learnt that the bus had been kept for repairs at the garage and Dayanand had gone there to inspect the repair works.

At this time, the mechanic started the engine and the bus moved ahead. Dayanand, who was standing in front of the bus, came under its wheels.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital where he died without responding to the treatment. A case is registered at jurisdictional Manipal police station.

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