Concern over delay in execution of the new vented dam work

[email protected] (DHNS, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)
April 26, 2012

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Mangalore, April 26: Members of the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) expressed deep concern over the delay in execution of the new vented dam work and subsequently steep hike in the estimation cost of the project.

The City has been pinning hopes on the new vented dam to solve the drinking water woes that crop up in the city even before the onset of dry season.

During the general body meeting of the City Corporation, on Friday, held with Mayor Gulzar Banu in chair, the members said that the work on the new vented dam, which started about two years ago is going on at snail's pace.

“Though the initial cost of the dam was estimated at Rs 40 crore after two years the cost has escalated to Rs 75.50 crore,” said the members seeking explanation from the officials concerned with regard to the quantum jump.

Responding to this, Karnataka State Water Supply Board Executive Officer Anand said that factors like increase in the depth of the foundation, upgrade in concrete grade, increase in the height of the dam from 10 mts to 12 mts, increase in tender premium have contributed to increase in the cost estimation.

He said that further, the consultants who had initially decided on a particular standard of concrete later suggested to upgrade the grade of the concrete considering the coastal weather.

Agreeing that there has been an inordinate delay in the work already, he promised that the work will be completed by December 2013.

The reply of the official raged the members who said that they were fed up of the empty assurances made by the officials over the vented dam.

“The cost of the estimation has gone up mainly because of the delay in execution of work. Who will take the responsibility for the Rs 30 crore additional burden that has been imposed on us,” questioned the members expressing anger over the fact that with the increase of the dam height from 10 to 12 mts, another sprawling land area will be under threat of inundation and another vast area will have to be acquired.

Answering the query of the members with regard to work completed, the official said that the total length of the dam will be 350 mts.

A sum of Rs 22 crore has been earmarked for civil works, of which 30 to 40 per cent has been completed. The mechanical work of Rs 26 crore has not been started yet. There will be 15 blocks in the structure, of which work from 9th to 12th block and the last block has been started. For civil work, a sum of Rs 11 crore was released out of which Rs 10 crore has been utilised.

MSEZ dam opposed

Members have proposed the City Corporation to take over management of the dams installed by the Companies in the region to meet their own water requirement, by December every year so as to avert the impending water crisis.

The members holding several dams constructed by heavy industries in the region and hydro power projects functional here responsbile for the water paucity, said that Mangalore Sepcial Economic Zone too is going ahead with its dam construction at Jakribettu, which should be opposed.

“The AMR and MRPL dam at Sarapady is already causing lot of problems to the city with regard to drinking water supply. No more Companies should be allowed to put up dams in the region,” the members said.

Since concerns were also raised over the lacunae in implementation of ADB funded KUDCEMP project for UGD and water supply, the Mayor decided to hold a special meeting this month end.

Bunting policy

Taking note of the nuisance of various buntings with regard to programmes put up in every nook and corner of the city, the MCC decided to formulate a policy to control the same.

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News Network
May 7,2020

Bengaluru, May 7: Karnataka has revised its standard operating procedure (SOP) for international passengers. The first group of passengers will arrive in the state on May 8.

The number of categories has been reduced to two from three. Category A includes passengers symptomatic on arrival while Category B passengers are those asymptomatic on arrival. These are passengers who are either healthy or those having co-morbidities.

As per the revised SOP, the passenger will be released on the seventh day, if tested negative, to strict home quarantine for another seven days with stamping.

This norm is in contradiction to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ SOP for international passengers. As per the MHA’s SOP, the passengers (asymptomatic) will be under institutional quarantine for 14 days. Testing negative after 14 days, they will be allowed to go home and will undertake self-monitoring of their health for 14 more days.

On the contradiction, Pandey said, "We don't take chances as we rely on tests instead of just quarantining. Other states may be depending on just 14-day institutional quarantine."

"GOI SOP doesn't talk about Covid tests on international passengers. We have put an additional safety layer of three Covid tests on returnees -- one on arrival, second from 5-7 days and last on 12th day. This will ensure definite identification of positive cases even if they are asymptomatic and their subsequent treatment. We should look at the spirit behind the order," he added.

On the 14-day additional reporting period for category B, he said, "It is implied as category B patients should report to us for 14 days after their first 14-day quarantine period is over."

Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said that the State would follow the Centre’s norms.

Till Tuesday, Karnataka’s SOP had three categories. Under Category A (symptomatic), 14-day institutional quarantine at COVID-19 Health Care Centre was mandatory followed by 14-day reporting period. Under Category B (asymptomatic above 60 years with co-morbidities), seven-day institutional quarantine at hotel/hostel followed by seven-day home quarantine and 14-day reporting period had been recommended. The 14-day home quarantine and 14-day reporting period was mandatory for Category C (asymptomatic).

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News Network
March 11,2020

Kalaburagi, Mar 11: A suspected coronavirus patient who had returned to Kalaburagi from Saudi Arabia on February 29 passed away today in hospital.

It is said he was admitted to the hospital on March 5 after he showed flu symptoms. But, the family members of the patient had shifted him to Hyderabad from GIMS on Tuesday against the advice of the doctors.

However, the district administration and District Health Officer (DHO) M A Jabbar are waiting for the final report of throat swab of the patient sent for lab test.

The DHO has directed Taluk Health Officer Sharanabasappa Kyatanal to supervise until the final rites of the suspect person were performed.

Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner B Sharat said the patient died on Tuesday night on his way back to Kalaburagi after the doctor stated that chances of his survival was bleak. "It is still a suspected coronavirus case. We are waiting for the report," he said.

Sharat said he developed severe respiratory problem coupled with cough, cold and fever. "As he was 76-year-old, he failed to respond to the treatment. It is yet to be confirmed if the cause of death was coronavirus," he said.

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News Network
May 27,2020

Kasaragod, May 27: In a tragic incident, two persons, who were brothers, died of asphyxiation while trying to rescue a calf that fell in their well at Bandhiyod near here on Wednesday.

Police sources said the elder brother Narayanan (50) entered into the well first to save the calf that fell in the well early in the morning.

His brother Sankaran (40) also followed suit after he noticed his brother fainting deep down the well. However, he also fainted inside the well.

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