Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Dec 13: "Plans are afoot to upgrade the supply of drinking water and water bodies in the Mangaluru city corporation limits keeping in view the city's needs for the next thirty years," said Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath here on Friday December 13.
Providing details at a press meet at the BJP office here, the MLA said, "It has been planned to upgrade the drinking water supply system at a cost of Rs 792.42 crore under the second stage of ADB-aided Jalasiri project. The project is planned so that water may be supplied round the clock to every family in the corporation limits under the KUDIDFC scheme."
He further said that the project is meant to supply water to every house in all the 60 wards round the clock. The project will also entail construction of upgraded water reservoirs in different extensions in Mangaluru, construction of two additional ground level reservoirs in addition to the existing ones, construction of eight additional pump houses, and construction of high capacity purification units instead of the existing units in Panambur and Bendore.
The MLA also divulged plans to lay a new 65-kilometre pipeline instead of the present deficient pipeline for the 20 proposed water reservoirs and purification units.
"We also plan installation of additional distribution network together with the ones already installed under Kudcemp project. Repairs of roads that are already dug for the purpose are under way," he said.
New electronic water meters will be installed for every house, he added.
The contract sum for the works is Rs 792.42 crore. The cost of works is Rs 587.67 crore and maintenance cost is Rs 204.75 crore for five years.
Rs 3.65 crore has been released under MUDA grants to develop lakes. As development of lakes is necessary due to depleting ground water level, works on 8 lakes will begin. The following lakes are being revived so as to be convenient for people for stroll in the mornings and evenings, the MLA said.
1. Development of Kadri Kaibattal lake – Rs 90 lac
2. Jogimutt lake – Rs 80 lac
3. Kulshekar lake – Rs 70 lac
4. Jeppinamogaru Karmbistan Vaidyanath temple lake – Rs 25 lac
5. Jalligudda lake – Rs 65 lac
6. Kudroli Nadupalli Juma Masjid premises lake – Rs 25 lac
7. Bajal Kundodi lake – Rs 10 lac
Rs 1.30 crore has been released for Bairadikere lake. The work is in progress here. As an amount of Rs 70 lac is needed still, action will be taken on the basis of availability of funds, he added.