Mangaluru: Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader has directed officials to take immediate precautionary measures to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply across the Mangaluru Assembly Constituency, particularly during the ongoing summer season.
Chairing a review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday, Khader emphasised that access to safe drinking water must remain the top priority for both rural and urban local bodies. He instructed officials from various departments to work in coordination and address any disruptions swiftly to prevent inconvenience to citizens.
Focus on summer preparedness and local accountability
Highlighting the seasonal challenges, Khader urged Gram Panchayats and urban local bodies to stay proactive and responsive. He stressed that local issues related to water supply should be resolved at the grassroots level without unnecessary delays.
He also directed authorities to utilise funds already available with Gram Panchayats and municipal bodies to undertake essential works such as repair of pipelines, maintenance of storage systems, and strengthening of supply infrastructure.
“Public grievances must be addressed promptly. There should be no room for negligence when it comes to drinking water,” Khader said during the meeting.
Jal Jeevan Mission implementation under review
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission. Khader instructed officials to ensure that all households are provided with functional tap connections under the scheme at the earliest.
He further emphasised that water should be supplied efficiently to storage tanks constructed under the mission, using designated and sustainable water sources. This, he noted, would help maintain consistent supply to residential areas.
To improve monitoring and accountability, Khader also called for the installation of water metres in households that have already received connections but lack proper measurement systems. Officials were asked to compile data on pending connections and submit proposals to the government to secure additional funding if required.
Alternative arrangements and infrastructure support
Acknowledging the possibility of shortages in certain areas, Khader directed officials to make contingency plans, including supplying water through tankers wherever necessary. He stressed that no habitation should be left without access to drinking water, even temporarily.
The Speaker also raised concerns about delays in providing electricity connections to water supply projects. He instructed the concerned departments to ensure that such bottlenecks are resolved immediately so that projects can function without interruption.
Additionally, Khader highlighted the importance of restoring roads promptly after pipeline-laying works. He noted that delays in road repairs not only inconvenience residents but also reflect poor coordination among departments.
Coordination among departments stressed
Khader reiterated that departments and agencies involved in water supply must function in a coordinated manner to achieve seamless service delivery. He warned against isolated functioning, which often leads to inefficiencies and delays.
During the meeting, Narwade Vinayak Karbhari stated that drinking water projects should only be handed over to Gram Panchayats after complete execution. He also pointed out that contractors are responsible for maintaining such projects for one year post-completion, ensuring accountability during the initial operational phase.
Review of rural and urban water situation
The meeting also included a detailed review of drinking water conditions in rural areas of Ullal taluk, as well as in Kotekar, Someshwar, and Ullal towns. Officials presented updates on existing infrastructure, ongoing projects, and challenges faced in ensuring regular supply.
Senior officials including MUDA Chairman Sadashiva Ullal and Urban Development Project Director Dr G Santhosh Kumar were present at the meeting, contributing inputs on urban planning and infrastructure needs.
Conclusion
With summer intensifying across coastal Karnataka, the directives issued by Khader underline the urgency of ensuring reliable drinking water supply. By prioritising local accountability, improving infrastructure, and accelerating the implementation of national schemes, authorities aim to prevent shortages and safeguard public welfare. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on timely execution and strong coordination among all stakeholders involved.