Upalokayukta sets 20-day deadline to rejuvenate Kelageri Tank in Dharwad

Upalokayukta takes action against officials for neglecting century-old Kelageri Tank in Dharwad, setting 20-day deadline for rejuvenation.

Taking strong exception to the lapse on the part of the officials in ensuring proper maintenance of the century-old Kelageri Tank in Dharwad, Upalokayukta K.N. Phaneendra on Thursday said that a suo motu case will be filed holding the officials concerned accountable for the failure.

The Upalokayukta also set a 20-day deadline for the officials to initiate steps to rejuvenate the century-old tank. He warned them that if no requisite measures are taken to clean the polluted water body within the deadline, legal action will be taken against them.

He also advised them to improve their working style.

The Upalokayukta said that in the suo motu case, the tank management committee and the owners of the tank will be made parties and they should furnish all documents and reasons for the lapse in maintaining the water body.

Mr. Phaneendra said that the Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) informed him that it is ready with a ₹150-crore proposal for the development of tanks in the twin cities, including the one in Kelageri, and this will be submitted to the Governor for requisite action.

He pointed out that the HDMC, the owner of the tank, and the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Dharwad have locked horns over the development of the tank and its cleanliness and are just passing the buck.

This official apathy has resulted in water hyacinth covering 80% of the tank and sewage entering it.