MLC flags delay in Jalasiri 24x7 drinking water project in M’luru

Mangaluru: MLC Ivan D'Souza has raised concerns over the delay in the implementation of the Jalasiri 24x7 drinking water supply scheme in Mangaluru, stating that the issue has been brought to the attention of the chairman of the Karnataka legislative council, Basavaraj Horatti.In a letter to the council chairman, D'Souza noted that the project has not even reached 40% progress in connecting distribution lines. While the scheme aims to provide 93,600 drinking water connections across the city, only 37,025 consumers have been connected so far.According to the MLC, the project, which commenced in 2019, has achieved only 63% overall physical progress. The work was originally scheduled for completion by May 24, 2013, but was later given an extended deadline until Dec this year. "However, uncertainty remains over whether the project will be completed within the revised timeframe," D'Souza said.The ADB-funded Jalasiri drinking water project, estimated at Rs 821.9 crore, includes the laying of 52.6 km of transmission pipeline, of which 44.6 km has been completed so far. Meanwhile, of the planned 1,155.4 km distribution network, only 868.8 km has been laid.D'Souza said the delay in completing the project is one of the major reasons behind the drinking water crisis in the city. He urged urban development minister Byrathi Suresh to convene an urgent meeting and ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply to the residents of Mangaluru.He further stated that the issue had been raised multiple times during district-level KDP meetings chaired by the district minister. However, officials concerned allegedly failed to act on the directions issued during those meetings.The MLC also pointed out that roads were dug up in several parts of the city in an unplanned manner, causing inconvenience to the public. In some areas, he said, the works have been ongoing for the past two to three years.