Sullia: Lokayuktha executive engineers began investigation to unearth the lapses in the Rs 2.87 Crore Sullia city Under Ground Drainage (UGD) works, responding to a complaint from Janaspandana Vedike (Citizen Forum) filed last year.

At the outset, lapses as well as unfinished works were evident, said engineer Anand representing Lokayuktha and felt a complete investigation would help to assess mess. He inspected overflowing manholes in the town and observed works carried out at sewage treatment plants at Vivekananda Circle, Jattipalya wet well zone and Jayanagar area.

A team of engineers led by Executive Engineer from Sewage Board Mahadevaiah furnished details on the works carried out under its supervision. M Sundar Raj aired his views on behalf of the Janaspandana Vedike, which had submitted the complaint to Lokayuktha.

Engineer Mahadvaiah justified the works by stating that the works were carried out in accordance with the plan and only after getting technical approval, it was handed over to the Sullia City Municipal Council (CMC). Not providing adequate number of connections as well poor maintenance by CMC had led to the mess, Mahadeviah charged.

Unwilling to buy that argument, CMC officials retorted and said the incomplete project was forced down their throat despite several reservations raised by the members. They argued that the underground drains were non-existent at several places due to which connections could not be provided.

Lokayuktha Engineer Anand inspected spots along the Kandadka river bank and collected public opinion on the flow of sewage into the river before and after commissioning the UGD works. CMC chief executive engineer apprised the inspecting team that sewage flowed only from areas where the UGD network was unavailable or incomplete.