The Hindu 13.10.2010
Delay in water supply scheme deplored
Staff Correspondent
| Scheme is being implemented in Raichur with aid from Asian Development Bank |
Councillors blame it on the agency, project implementation officials
‘People are not cooperating with contractor for replacing worn-out pipelines’
DISCUSSION:Mamata Sudhakar (second from left), President of Raichur City Municipal Council, at a review meeting in Raichur on Tuesday
Raichur: Mamata Sudhakar, president of the Raichur City Municipal Council, on Tuesday alleged that the officials of the North Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Investment Project had failed to implement the drinking water supply scheme properly.
Presiding over a review meeting here, she said that the city municipality had taken up the water supply augmentation scheme at an estimated cost of Rs. 14.2 crore with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The scheme includes replacement of worn-out pipelines, laying of new pipelines and water management under public-private partnership. It was assigned to a private party in April under the supervision of the North Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Investment Project. It was scheduled for completion in September 2011. But except the verification and approval of estimates and plans, the agency had not initiated any work on the scheme so far, she said.
Ms. Sudhakar directed the project officials to take up the issue with Srisai Sudeep Infrastructure Ltd., which had been awarded the contract, for completing it on schedule.
Subandhi Math, Regional Officer, North Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Investment Project, told the meeting that the people were not cooperating with the agency for replacing worn-out pipelines. The agency had already started the work, he added. Some of the Congress councillors, including Jayanna, alleged that the officials of the project had failed to properly implement the scheme. The city municipality had to repay the loan, along with interest, to the ADB.
There would be additional burden on the municipality if the scheme was delayed, they said and urged the meeting to give strict directions to officials and the agency to speed up the work and complete it on schedule.
Vice-president of the city municipality K. Sulochana and former presidents M. Eranna and A. Mareppa were present.
