Vijayapura: Three years delay in completing the 24×7 drinking water project has forced the authorities to surge the project cost anywhere around 25 percent.
The State Government has entrusted Karnataka State Water Development Board (KSWDB) for the implementation of a 24×7 drinking water project in the historic Vijayapura City in 2016. Even after six years of the launch of the project, the authorities are carrying out the work at snail pace.
Initially the project was estimated at Rs. 156 Crore for the entire project. Now, the project cost has been increased by 33 Crore, which is an increase by nearly 25 percent. With this the new total estimated cost for the same project stands at Rs. 189 Crore. The authorities have also submitted the new estimation cost to the State Government.
S. S. Pattanshetty, Executive Engineer of KSWDB, pointed out that, “It is true that the project cost has been increased solely because of the delay in project. After the consent of the local MLA and the officials concerned, the new report has been submitted to the government. As per the agreement the city corporation has to bear 30 percent of the total project estimated cost.”
“The project was delayed because of financial and technical problems faced by the contractor while carrying out the works. Among the 15 zones the work has been completed in as many as eight zones. We have achieved 85 per cent physical and 84 per cent financial progress in this project.”
“As 85 per cent of the works have been completed only minor works have remained pending. After chairing the high-level committee meeting, we have given a new deadline to the contractor to complete the project by July 2022. Even he has agreed to finish within the given timebound,” detailed E. E. Pattanshetty.
It may be noted that the State Government, Minister concerned and District Administration had given at least five deadlines for the contractor to complete the project in the past. However, none of the deadlines was met by the service-provider. The Government assurance of putting the contractors into blacklist has remained on papers. Now, another new deadline has been set.
“I have served many notices for delaying the implementation of the project. Even serious efforts were made to bring in new contractors but the existing contractor assured of completing the project at the earliest. The Government has now set-up a new deadline. There is no deficit of any funds for this project. Even the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has assured of giving all the required financial support for the completion of this drinking water project. I will ensure that the project is completed within July 2022,” said Deputy Commissioner P. Sunil Kumar.
