Mangaluru: Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao assures action against mud mafia at Kettikal hill after inquiry report

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, August 16: District Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has assured that action will be taken against those involved in illegal mud mining at Kettikal Hill once the inquiry report, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), is submitted.

At a press conference in the city on Thursday, Gundu Rao said, “Reports indicate that mud excavation is going on at the top of Kettikal hill since 2018. The investigation team will assess the actions taken so far by the departments concerned. In the meantime, nine families living near the hill have to be relocated.”

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has also conducted a survey on the hill collapse at Kettikal. The district administration will take necessary action based on their recommendations. In addition, a team from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) has inspected the area and will submit their report soon. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also inspected the excavation.

The minister also expressed concern over the quality of work on the new building of the Mangaluru police quarters, and stated that instructions have been given to submit a report on the matter. He further announced that Rs 20 crore has been sanctioned under the Smart City project to complete the new DC office project at Padil, the inauguration of which is expected soon.