Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Mar 24: A special meeting chaired by municipal council president Mohammed Sharif was held with highway officials, municipal council and elected representatives over damages to the drinking water pipeline at Melkar during the four-lane national highway works in progress. The meeting was held at the municipal council office on Thursday, March 24.

The president said that the NHAI should repair the water pipeline whenever damaged. He asked the officials to make alternative arrangements to supply drinking water.

NHAI official warned

“It is not sufficient if the matter that is discussed in the meeting is reported to the higher officials. Solve the problems. If not, I will personally lead the protests together with the elected representatives and people against the contractor and force them to stop the work,” he warned.

“We have informed the MP and the MLA about the problems being encountered during the highway works. The work should be conducted taking the local department into confidence,” he said.

“I have submitted three estimates to the department before the work started. Several contractors changed after that and KNRC Company took over the contract now. The company should do this work. The drainage department is not responsible for the work. But people have been provided wrong information,” said drainage department engineer Shobha Laxmi.

“There is complete cooperation from the municipal council and the officials for the highway works. Is it right to damage the drinking water pipeline and cause problems to the people? Change the old pipes belonging to the municipal council and install new pipelines,” said municipal council member Mohammed Siddik to the engineer.

NHAI consultant engineer Likhit assured that the pipeline work will soon be completed through the contractor.

Vice president Jacinta D’ Souza, member Gayatri Prakash, chief officer Lena Britto, engineer Dominic D’ Mello and staff Meenakshi were present.