Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada district administration has roped in experts of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Karnataka, to identify encroachments on two major storm water drains in Mangaluru city using satellite imagery. The encroachments on the drains have caused floods in Mangaluru city during heavy spells of rain, the worst of which was on May 29. The authorities decided to scientifically identify them after the court, looking into the issue, asked for detailed information on them.
"At present we have concentrated on two major storm water drains at Kottara and Pumpwell. NIT-K experts have been asked to identify the encroachments on these drains with the help of satellite images. They will use the satellite images of the 1980s and compare them with the present to get a clear picture of the encroachments," Deputy Commissioner, Sasikanth Senthil told Deccan Chronicle.
The expert team is likely to submit its report either this week or the next, according to him. "Based on this report we can start taking action against the encroachers. If anybody raises any objection or approaches the court, we will have proof to fight our case. We have taken this seriously," he added.
