Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jul 20: The special session of the city corporation council here, which met on Thursday July 19, gave its approval for projects worth Rs 390 crore. These projects were given the nod with certain amendments. The projects pertain to drinking water supply system under 'Jalasiri' scheme which would be getting financial assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) II stage.
City mayor, Bhaskar K, who presided over the special session, gave his nod for the integrated water supply scheme worth Rs 390 crore out of which the city corporation would be bearing Rs 218.5 crore and the balance, by the state government. The mayor stated that the objections, advice, and suggestions received from the members would be assimilated and the amended recommendation would be sent for the state government's approval.
The approved plan pertains to ADB-assisted project to strengthen the water distribution network within the city corporation limits, which would be executed by Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation under the Jalasiri programme of Karnataka Integrated Urban Water Management Investment Programme under which the execution and maintenance for eight years after the same is implemented, would be undertaken by the executing agency. The total cost of the execution and maintenance works out to Rs 381.52 crore.
Officer, Jayaprakash, explained that under the project, 20 additional water storage tanks with different capacities would be built, eight additional boosting pump houses would be erected, a 18 mgd capacity purification plant would be set up at Ramalkatte in place of filtration units currently stationed at Bendore and Panambur, replacing of purified drinking water pipeline, capacities of which have suffered over the years, to the proposed water storage tanks, bringing the dug portions of earth with concrete and bitumens to restore them to original shape, computerization of water purification plant at Thumbe to all the water storage tanks, and other works.
Initially, opposition corporator, Rajesh, raised several questions, seeking details of works conducted during ADB first phase, reasons for making changes in the preliminary proposal in the second stage, and why various problems associated with underground drainage system are not being taken up along with drinking water project. Commissioner of the city corporation, Muhammed Nazeer, provided detailed explanation. When Rajesh insisted on addressing underground drainage problems, the mayor said that underground drainage would require funds to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore and hence it would be taken up later.
Former mayor, Kavitha Sanil wanted to know whether new water pipeline would be laid to the city from Thumbay out of the current Rs 390 crore project. She questioned the efficacy of the project if the old pipeline on this route is retained. Officer, Jayaprakash, said that the current projects include supply of water to Ullal, Mulky, and other areas around the corporation. He said that the current supply of 160 MLD would have to be increased to 180 MLD by 2030 and 236 MLD by 2040 and hence various development works would have to be undertaken for this purpose at Thumbay.
Opposition leader, Premananda Shetty, criticized the concerned for not having clarity on how Rs 390 crore would be spent and he drew the attention of the corporators about various discussions held about drinking water supply in the past, and that none of them have been properly implemented. Corporator, Roopa D Bangera, questioned how the corporation, which is already overburdened with debt, plans to clear the new burden.
Deputy mayor, Muhammed Kunjathabail, Praveen Chandra Alva, Naveen D'Souza, Radhakrishna, Latha Salian, and others were present.