Mangaluru’s long-pending underground drainage (UGD) crisis could move closer to a comprehensive solution, with the Karnataka Legislature’s Committee on Public Undertakings recommending ₹1,250 crore for a complete redevelopment of the city’s ageing sewerage network.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, MLC Ivan D’Souza said the city’s underground drainage system remains its most pressing civic challenge, alleging that despite Mangaluru’s rapid urban growth, successive state and central governments had failed to execute a comprehensive UGD project, restricting interventions largely to repair and maintenance works.

He said the Committee on Public Undertakings submitted its 139th Report (2025–26) to the state government after examining observations of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and conducting field inspections in Mangaluru. The report, which includes recommendations for modernising the city’s drainage infrastructure, is expected to be taken up during the upcoming session of the Karnataka Legislature.

According to D’Souza, the committee has recommended that the government accord top priority to the underground drainage project, ensure complete utilisation of treated wastewater, rectify shortcomings that have led to avoidable expenditure, and prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to facilitate administrative approvals, funding, and timely execution.

He said he had met Karnataka’s Urban Development Minister, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, and submitted the committee’s report, urging the government to initiate the project at the earliest.

The Urban Development Department has already written to the government seeking the appointment of a consultant to prepare the DPR, he added. D’Souza also said he plans to invite the minister to Mangaluru for discussions on taking the project forward.

Stressing that the ambitious project would require financial assistance from both the Karnataka government and the Centre, D’Souza appealed to all elected representatives, including MPs and MLAs, to work together to secure the necessary funds rather than politicising the issue.

He also criticised the BJP for repeatedly blaming the Congress-led Mangaluru City Corporation whenever problems related to the underground drainage system surface. Questioning the role of Mangaluru City South MLA Vedavyas Kamath, D’Souza asked what efforts had been made to obtain funding for a permanent and comprehensive solution to the city’s underground drainage problems.