JOIN US Speaking to reporters, he said the cost of the project is Rs 932 crore and a major component would be mobilised from borrowings. The towns selected include Humnabad, Chittuguppa, Sedam, Hukkeri, Sankeshwar, Bijapur, Mandya, Srirangapatna, Kadur, Bigaluru, Kushalnagar, Tumkur, Tiptur, Shimoga, Thirthahalli and Malur.
He ruled out hiking water rates in urban pockets of the State excluding Bangalore. “There is no proposal to hike water rates in city corporations other than BBMP as of now. We are planning to plug leakages, take up recovery of dues and arrears to cover water supply costs,” he said.
The minister added that the city corporations will focus on upgradation of distribution network for improved water supply. Power supply companies have been requested to ensure that there is no disruption of power when water is pumped to filling stations. The measures would help in improved water supply in Hubli and other tier two cities where water is supplied once in eight days.