Mangaluru: Smart City Ltd (MSCL) for its Netravathi Waterfront Promenade Project is conducting earthwork by excavating soil and filling the Netravathi river with debris sourced from external locations (Debris from the compound of Emmekere Swimming pool), which raises serious environmental and regulatory issues.  Also, huge storm water drains/gutters that pre-existed for years are being filled with soil debris and levelled which might lead to a flood-like situation in these sensitive areas. Work is being carried out 12°50’33.9″N 74°50’38.1″E, Bolar, Mangaluru.

Enclosed photographs (Annexure 1) that serve as visual evidence of the ongoing activities. These photographs clearly depict the earthwork with bulldozers and the substantial quantities of debris being introduced into the river by the earth movers & lorries, raising concerns about the environmental impact and CRZ violations associated with this project. It is crucial to highlight that such activities of MSCL could have significant environmental and ecological repercussions, impacting the fragile ecosystem of the Netravathi River and its surroundings including the estuary located at approx. 1 Km from the project site. MSCL has previously violated CRZ regulations in the past in Netravathi waterfront project case (Annexure 2). Hence, It is important to look into the operations of MSCL in this project and take appropriate actions as deemed necessary by the appropriate authorities to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and environmental standards.