Mangaluru: Gujjarakere will be developed as a tourist spot by year end, said Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, speaking after inspecting Gujjarakere and holding talks with the officials and engineers from the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC).

“We want to develop Gujjarakere as a tourist spot. Sewage from an underground drainage (UGD) is leaking into the lake water,” he said and added that the officials have been asked to plug the seepage of sewage into the lake.

The MLA explained that a walking track will be developed around the lake. Efforts will be made to check rainwater from entering the lake. After taking opinion from NITK experts, the officials will take measures to check growth of weeds in the lake.

In a press release, residents surrounding the Gujjarakere and Arekere premises alleged that the sewage network has been polluting wells in the region for the last 36 years.

In spite of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum directing the authorities to set right the sewage system in and around Gujjarakere and Arekere to check pollution in open wells, no efforts have been made so far, complained the residents.

“As per the present work, the sewage from Gujjarakere and Jeppu Market will reach the Mulihithlu wet well. However, the work on pumping line from the wet well has not commenced. There is all possibility of overflow of sewage with the new connections. If the sewage lines are upgraded in the Arakere region, then the pollution in the wells could be checked. However, the authorities have failed to initiate any measure in this regard,” said Harish Arekere.

To find a solution to the problems of seepage of sewage into wells, the MCC should ensure that only rainwater flows in the storm water drains. The UGD system should be upgraded pointed out P.Nemu Kottary.

Gujjarakere is spread across 3.43 acre and was a source of drinking water in the past and associated with the religious ceremonies of the nearby Mangaladevi Temple and Marigudi temples.