The Karnataka government has granted a two-year extension for completing the ambitious 24/7 drinking water supply project in Hubballi-Dharwad. This decision comes after the private firm handling the project failed to meet the original deadline due to multiple delays.
Revised Deadline Set for June 2027
While the company requested an extension until June 2028 six months ago, the government reviewed progress and directed that continuous water supply must be ensured by June 2027. Officials expressed confidence in meeting this new target despite ongoing challenges.
Project Faces Multiple Setbacks
Savita Katigennavar, superintending engineer at KUIDFC, revealed that the project started in March 2020 but achieved only 55% progress over five-and-a-half years, up to December 2025. "The challenge now is to complete the remaining 45% in the given period," she told TOI.
The project encountered difficulties from the beginning:
- A three-month extension in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic
- Delays in handover of the water distribution system by the water board
- Land acquisition issues along the main pipeline route
Major Components Nearing Completion
Katigennavar highlighted that several key elements are approaching completion:
- The 29.5-km raw water main from Savadatti Jackwell to Amminabhavi is finished
- Water pipeline from Savadatti to Amminabhavi is nearly complete
- Water purification unit at Amminabhavi is in final stages
- Main pipeline from Amminabhavi to Rayapur is progressing well
Reservoir construction shows significant progress too. Of 14 planned upper-level reservoirs, 11 have been completed, two are under construction, and land is being identified for the remaining one. Construction of nine ground-level tanks is almost complete.
Distribution Network Progress
The house-to-house water distribution network spans 1,688 kilometers. Workers have laid 1,021 km of pipelines (about 60%), while 667 km remain unfinished. Continuous water supply already operates in parts of Morarji Nagar (Lohia Nagar) in Hubballi and in Navalur, with trial runs conducted in eight areas.
The project aims to provide tap connections to 120,586 houses, but only 34,211 houses have been connected so far. This represents just 28% of the total target households.
Local Infrastructure Development
In Lakhamanahalli, Dharwad, authorities have constructed an elevated level surface reservoir with capacity of 0.5 million litres. This forms part of the broader infrastructure improvements supporting the 24/7 water supply initiative.
Katigennavar remained optimistic despite the challenges. "Despite constant challenges, we are confident of completing the project by June 2027," she stated, noting that major components should be finished within the next two to three months.
