Two Biharis held for manual scavenging in M'lore

Mangalore, May 3: Two persons have been arrested by the police on Thursday in connection with the manual cleaning of manholes near Lady Goschen hospital on Wednesday.

The arrested are Sanjay Mishra (38) and Ravindra Kumar Mishra (36), both natives of Bihar, who are maintaining Sulab Souchalay near Lady Goschen hospital.

The duo had used the services of two local labourers after the manhole in the vicinity was blocked. The police have booked the duo on charges of violating Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrine (Prohibition) Act, 1993. Both have also been produced before the court.

Meanwhile, the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) too has decided to file police complaints with regard to the instances of violation of the Manual Scavenging Prohibiton Act in the City limits, with private individuals making workers to get into the manholes to clean it up.

Following continued media reports on the issues, MCC Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar said that action will be taken as per the Act.

The Commissioner has said that private individuals making workers get into manholes belonging to the City Corporation is a clear violation of the Act. He clarified that cleaning of the manhole is being taken up by the MCC using machines and any complaints with regard to chocking of manhole etc will have to be brought to the notice of the MCC itself.

“Individuals do not have the right to get the manhole cleaned employing labourers. This is a punishable offence and criminal cases can be booked against the guilty,” the Commissioner 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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