After several extensions in the past, the government has yet again extended the deadline for completing a decade-old 355-km sewer network laying works and associated facilities in the city, until the end of this year.
As per the last deadline, the works should have been completed by March, 2013.
This time around, the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) is hopeful of completing the project within the given time. The three major pending issues which had come in the way of completing the project previously, two have been addressed, KUIDFC officials said. The third one is in the process of being completed, they added.
Sources in the KUIDFC told The Hindu that the Southern Railway has agreed to lay a trunk line (main pipeline) for a length of 84 mts crossing below the railway line at Yekkur. This work would be completed once the heavy rains stop,, they said. This trunk line would pass the sewage water from Maroli, Pumpwell areas to Jeppinamogaru wet well. They said the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada has permitted controlled rock blasting at Guddekoppalu near Surathkal to lay a trunk line for a length of five metres. This work would begin shortly, thereby addressing two of the previously pending issues.
The third pending work related to land acquisition to lay a trunk line for a length of 75 mts at Shivbagh. Sources said the land owner would be convinced to part with the land without waiting for the formalities to be over.
Sources said the State government’s Empowered Committee for Externally Aided Karnataka Urban Development and Coastal Environmental Management Project (KUDCEMP) on May 29, 2013, extended the deadline for completing the sewer works until the end of this year. The KUIDFC is implementing the works on behalf of Mangalore City Corporation under the Asian Development Bank loan for KUDCEMP. The associated facilities comprise constructing sewage treatment plants, wet wells, manholes, and pump houses.
Although sewer project works commenced in 2003, it took off only in 2007 because of various issues. The government terminated the contracts of five major contractors in 2006 on grounds of unsatisfactory performance.
