A view of the 43 MLD water treatment plant being constructed at Amminbhavi, as part of the 24X7 water supply project for Hubballi-Dharwad.
Credit: DH Photo
Hubballi: Though bulk water supply pipeline laying, construction of tanks and development of water treatment plant have made considerable progress, the advance in laying the new distribution network inside the twin cities has been very slow, making the implementation of this ambitious project to expand 24X7 water supply to all wards likely to miss the June 2025 deadline.
Poor progress in laying the distribution network, especially due to the need to replace 300 km of newly-laid pipeline with ones suitable for high-pressure flow of water, has been a major headache now. This comes when other components of the project have made considerable headway. Though the 24X7 water supply trial run has begun in Navalur area and it is being planned for few more areas, completion of the total project to ensure continuous water supply to all wards is now expected to be completed only by December, instead of the initial deadline of June.
As part of this World Bank-assisted Rs 931 crore project, L&T is implementing various works, monitored by the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development & Finance Corporation (KUIDFC). Raw water supply pipeline laying from Savadatti to Amminbhavai water treatment plant has been almost complete, while other works are progressing fast. But, the progress of laying distribution network before giving house connections has been only 26.2%. This is expected to push duration of the project completion by at least six more months.
For completion of project, other works remaining are seven km clear water pipeline between Amminbhavi and Rayapur, 16 km inside city clear water line, and seven tanks.
Sub-contract
Admitting that the progress in laying distribution network has been very poor, Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) Commissioner Ishwar Ullagaddi stated that L&T and KUIDFC officials have been asked to focus on this issue, while four contractors are being given sub-contract to lay distribution network using more workers, as per the decision taken to speed up the works.
“The project implementation can be completed as fast as the distribution network is laid, while the contractor is expecting this by December. 300 km of already-laid pipeline has also to be replaced as per the government order. Instructions are also given to complete clear water main truck from Amminbhavi to Rayapur by March,” he said.
Claiming that the progress of the project implementation in Hubballi-Dharwad is better that Kalaburagi and Belagavi, Ullagaddi said only machinery has to be installed at Amminbhavi WTP.
Trial run
Meanwhile, 24X7 water supply is being provided to 616 house connections at Navalur under a trial run, and this is expected to be officially commissioned within a month. Works are also on to start the trial run at Morarji Nagar and Nrupatunga Betta areas soon, KUIDFC officials said.
“Distribution network laying was delayed due to the issue related to replacing 300 km pipelines. Now, works are expedited, and citizens will experience the improvement in water supply with the progress of this work,” they added.