Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 9: The delayed completion of the Jalasiri project, disruption caused by road excavations, and issues in water supply led to an outcry from mayor Manoj Kumar and Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) members cutting across party lines during a special council meeting held on Monday, December 9.

The meeting, convened to review the progress of the Jalasiri and GAIL pipeline works, witnessed sharp criticism of the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) and Suez India Private Limited officials for failing to implement the project effectively.

Mayor issues stern warning

Mayor Manoj Kumar directed officials to provide satisfactory answers to members' queries within two days and to resolve all issues without further delay. He also announced plans to hold zone-wise review meetings to ensure proper monitoring of the project.

548 km of work pending

KUIDFC officials informed the council that out of the targeted 1,288.8 km of pipeline to be laid under the Rs 792.4-crore Jalasiri project, only 730.2 km has been completed, leaving 548 km of work pending. The project, which was to be completed by May 2024, is progressing at a snail’s pace. Members expressed frustration, noting that residents are holding corporators accountable for the disruptions.

Opposition leader Anil Kumar accused Suez India Private Limited, the contractor, of negligence in executing the project. Several members highlighted water supply issues resulting from incomplete work and criticized officials for failing to restore roads dug up for pipeline installation.

NHAI hurdles

Officials revealed that approximately 37 km of major pipeline and distribution network work in areas under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) jurisdiction remains incomplete due to pending approvals. Member Naveen D’Souza questioned why this issue had not been brought to the council’s attention earlier.

GAIL work under scrutiny

The council also reviewed the gas pipeline works undertaken by GAIL Gas Limited. Mayor Manoj Kumar instructed GAIL officials to immediately restore roads excavated for the project.

Members accused GAIL of irresponsibly digging roads across the city without proper restoration. D’Souza demanded that criminal cases be filed if further road excavations occur, noting that GAIL’s two-year permission period had already expired.

Corporators questioned why restoration in central Mangaluru was neglected while work extended to areas like Suratkal. They insisted on prior intimation to concerned corporators before initiating any work.

Deputy mayor Bhanumathi, opposition leader Anil Kumar, and other MCC members were present at the meeting.