Saujanya's family remains neutral in the elections

April 16, 2014

Mangalore, Apr 16: Even as Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi, who spearheaded the movement for justice in Saujanya case in the district, declared his support to the BJP and Narendra Modi, the girl's family has decided to remain politically neutral in the Lok Sabha elections.

Saujanya's uncle Vittal Gowda on Tuesday told mediapersons that the family did not wish to back or support any political party in the days before the elections. “In our struggle to get justice for Saujanya, several parties, organisations and personalities have extended their support to us. In this struggle, we welcome the support of any political party or organisation. However, during the elections we want to remain politically neutral,” he clarified.

He said that the family had been approached by CPI(M) to campaign for their Lok Sabha candidate in Dakshina Kannada, which they turned down. “We will not campaign for any political party,” he said, adding that they would support a party after they get justice in the case of Saujanya.

Saujanya's mother Kusumavati also reiterated that they would not support any political party. However, the family had no qualms over Mahesh Thimarodi extending his support to the BJP, she said.

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Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

• Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

• STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

• Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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