Hubballi-Dharwad Grapples with Severe Drinking Water Crisis Due to Pipeline Delay
Hubballi: Multiple residential areas in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad are currently facing an acute and distressing shortage of drinking water. This critical situation has emerged primarily due to significant delays in the installation of a crucial new pipeline from the Aminabhavi water treatment plant to the Rayapur water storage tank.
Widespread Impact on Residential Wards
The affected localities include Navanagar, Gamanagatti, Suttagatti, Amargol, and Bairidevarkoppa. The Rayapur tank, which is a vital water source, supplies drinking water to four municipal wards, covering a population of nearly one lakh residents. The disruption in supply from this tank has created a severe public health and convenience issue across these communities.
Root Cause: Delayed 24x7 Water Supply Project
The pipeline work is a key component of the 24x7 water supply project being implemented in Hubballi-Dharwad by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), with the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) acting as the nodal agency. The installation of this 17.8-kilometer-long pipeline has been hampered by various logistical challenges.
"Due to some issues with the farmers' fields, the work was delayed," explained HDMC Commissioner Rudresh Ghali. He confirmed that approximately 17.5 kilometers of pipeline has now been installed and assured that clean water would begin flowing to the Rayapur tank within the next two days, which should resolve the drinking water problems.
Residents Voice Their Struggles and Demands
The water scarcity has forced residents to adopt difficult coping mechanisms. Ganga Keralli, a resident of Amargol, highlighted the inadequacy of the current supply schedule. "Water supply once in 7 to 9 days is not sufficient. Due to delay in implementation of the water project, water scarcity is plaguing the entire area," she stated. She emphasized the increased need for water during the summer months and urged authorities to ensure supply at least once every four days.
Mrutunjay Matti from Navanagar pointed out the lack of accessible alternatives. "There is no RO plant to get clean drinking water. Every day, at least 10 litres of drinking water is required," he said, demanding that HDMC and L&T commence regular water supply promptly.
Municipal Response and Interim Measures
Chandrasekhar Managundi, the corporator for HDMC Ward No. 28, reported receiving around 20 complaint calls daily from distressed residents. "The supply has been hit in 4 wards. Because of less water storage at the Rayapur tank, the supply to households is irregular," he noted.
In response to the crisis, interim measures have been implemented. L&T is supplying water via tankers based on resident demand. Some households are managing by purchasing water from RO plants. Corporator Managundi added that officials have assured a improved supply frequency of once every four days, a promise the community is anxiously awaiting.
The completion of the pipeline is now seen as the definitive solution to this pressing issue, with authorities hopeful that normal water supply will be restored imminently to alleviate the hardship faced by thousands of families.
