Udupi: Minister for Infrastructure, Urban Development and Haj Roshan Baig directed the officials to complete the work of water supply and UGD projects within the specified time frame. Speaking at a review meeting at Urban Development Authority here on Friday, the minister said Udupi is fast growing and the basic infrastructure is the need of the hour. Keeping this in mind, the officials should work with efficiency within the set period, he added.

Reviewing the projects taken up under KUIDFC, the minister expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of works. CMC Commissioner Manjunathaiah said the support for construction works of water supply programmes is immense. But the situation is different with regard to underground drainage (UGD) construction work. The officials encounter problems and challenges from the public. He said a meeting of the the owners of the land covering UGD projects has been convened.

KUDCEMP sub-scheme director Prabhakar Sharma said the ADB should be funding for the maintenance for five years and also for the land acquisition of UGD programmes. The people’s representatives should convince people who are reluctant to give their land for UGD projects, he added.

The CMC Commissioner said the detailed project report will be submitted for the projects of Integrated Urban Water Management Investment Programme. Negotiations are held with private land owners and the project would be realised at the earliest. Within CMC limits, Rs 101.20 crore is allotted for water supply, while Rs 185.90 crore for UGD, Rs 33 crore for dam works, he added.

He said there will be intake well, jack well is built at Shimbra, besides water pumping main of 800 mm, construction of 34 MLD water tank point at End Point are part of the project. The total land requirement for water supply is 604 cents, while the availability of government land is 172 cents and there is requirement of 433 cents of private land, including 400 cents of MAHE. For UGD programme, 1,289 cents of land is required.

The available government land is 124 cents and there is need for 1,165 cents of private land. The proposed project under water supply comprises construction of a dam across Swarna river at Shimbra, about 10 kilometres from the existing Baje reservoir. The survey work will be taken up before monsoon and the project is proposed under AMRUT, he added.

He said about 155 kilometres of sewer networks will be taken up for the uncovered areas. The proposed project comprises five wet wells and six lifting stations, besides construction of 3.5 MLD STP at V P Nagar and 3MLD STP at Malpe.

The project also comprises replacing old pumping mains and reconstruction of existing three wet wells for ultimate design, he added. Later addressing Congress workers, Baig said that there is immense potentials of utilizing the sea water for domestic purposes through desalination in the coastal belt.

Ridiculing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the demonisation, Baig said that BJP will pay heavily for it. Demonisation was intentionally done. The currency reform will surely affect employment and GDP growth, which is not in the interest of the country, he said.

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