Mangaluru's Jalasiri Water Project Faces Delays, Contractors Penalized Rs 18 Lakh
The implementation of the ambitious Jalasiri 24x7 drinking water supply scheme within the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) limits has been significantly delayed, prompting the urban development department to impose a substantial penalty of Rs 18 lakh on the contractors involved. This development was officially disclosed by Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh during the state legislature session, in response to a pointed query raised by MLC Ivan D'Souza.
Project Progress and Missed Deadlines
MLC Ivan D'Souza highlighted the concerning status of the project, which was initiated back in 2019. Despite the passage of several years, the overall physical progress has reached a mere 63%. The project, originally slated for completion by 2013, has seen its deadline extended multiple times, with the latest target set for December 31 of this year. The Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Jalasiri drinking water project, with a total cost of Rs 821.9 crore, involves the laying of 52.5 kilometers of pipeline. To date, only 44.6 kilometers of this pipeline work has been finished.
Furthermore, the distribution network presents an even more stark picture. Out of a planned 1,155.3 kilometers, only 868.8 kilometers have been completed. The project's core objective is to provide 93,600 drinking water connections to residents. However, as of now, only 37,025 consumers have been successfully connected, underscoring a major shortfall in deliverables.
Minister's Response and Reasons for Delay
In his detailed reply, Minister Byrathi Suresh confirmed that a penalty of Rs 18 lakh has already been levied on the contractors as liquidity damages for the delays. He elaborated on the multitude of challenges that have hampered the project's execution. Key factors contributing to the setbacks include the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse weather conditions such as heavy rains, and persistent delays in land acquisition processes.
Additional hurdles involved the supply chain for machinery and labor, as well as the time-consuming process of obtaining necessary permissions from critical authorities like the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Railways. The minister also assured that the roads which were dug up for the pipeline work are currently being restored to their original condition, addressing one of the public inconveniences caused by the project.
Contractor Deadlines and Future Steps
The contractors responsible for the project, SUEZ Projects and DRS Infratech, were initially given a deadline of May 24, 2023, to complete all work. This deadline was subsequently extended to November 23, 2025, reflecting the scale of the delays encountered. Minister Suresh has now assured the legislature that a meeting with the contractors will be convened shortly to strategize and ensure that the project is finally completed by the revised deadline of December 31 this year.
The urban development department is taking proactive steps to monitor and expedite the remaining work, emphasizing the critical importance of this infrastructure project for Mangaluru's residents. The Jalasiri scheme is pivotal for ensuring a reliable, 24x7 supply of drinking water, and its timely completion remains a top priority for the state government.
