Bengaluru: In the wake of several reports of sewage and industrial effluents from Mysuru flowing into the Cauvery River at Srirangapatna in Mandya district causing health concerns, MLC Dinesh Gooligowda has urged the State Government to form an investigation team of technical experts and take appropriate action to prevent the inflow of contaminated water into the River.

In a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil, Gooligowda expressed concern over contaminating the Cauvery by wastewater. He emphasised the need for immediate action and demanded the formation of a special investigation team without delay.

The MLC proposed establishing a committee comprising experts from various departments — including the Environment, Industries, Irrigation and Forest Departments — to address the issue. He requested that this committee submit a detailed report to the Government.

He noted that, in the past, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and studies conducted by researchers have observed that the Cauvery River is polluted by a range of contaminants, including pharmaceutically active compounds, personal care products, plastics, flame retardants, heavy metals and pesticides, among others.

Studies have found significant contamination by metals such as arsenic, zinc, chromium, lead and nickel. Freshwater intake points were also found to contain extraordinarily high concentrations of pharmaceutical contaminants.

The MLC suggested that a technical investigative committee could address the issue of discharging noxious waste into the Cauvery River and its tributaries. He emphasised that only sustained efforts can protect this precious water resource.

A 2023 report by the Central Pollution Control Board highlighted the pollution levels in the Cauvery River.

MLC Gooligowda stressed the need for rigorous water testing and the prevention of sewage, industrial and solid waste discharge into the river.

He believes that forming a technical investigation team can help ensure the river remains unpolluted, thereby providing clean drinking water to the people and livestock.