The execution of underground drainage works which are progressing at a snail’s pace and in a haphazard way, poses serious problems to the people of Karimnagar for the last eight years.
The ambitious works were taken up in 2007 at a cost of Rs.77.22 crore.
The executing agency signed an agreement for the completion of the project within three years.
But, it is over eight years and the works still remained incomplete and causing several problems to the people due to bad roads as the agency had dug up the entire town for laying underground drainage works.
The executing agency has been delaying the completion of the works on various pretexts such as shortage of pipes, non-availability of sand for construction of manholes, obstruction of works due to the bandhs and rasta rokos during the statehood movement, etc.
Ironically, the agency had laid trunk mains and lateral pipelines measuring 246 km against the stipulated 303 km.
The manholes were also not constructed according to an agreement. Even the construction of sewerage treatment plant (STP) was completed only 70 per cent as part of the project.
Following the plea made by Karimnagar legislator Gangula Kamalakar, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao sanctioned Rs.46 crore ten months ago for the laying of R&B roads measuring at 14.6 km . But, it is yet to taken up as the underground drainage works were progressing very slowly.
When contacted Karimnagar legislator Kamalakar said that they would complete the underground drainage (UGD) works on the R&B roads within two months and take up laying of roads.
“We will take up the road works only after completion of the UUG works and will not allow further damages to the roads,” he maintained.
Mayor Sardar Ravinder Singh said that they sought additional Rs. 35 crore for the completion of under ground drainage works under the Swachh Bharat programme as they should construct the inspection chambers from each household to connect the drainage pipe with the UGD line.
He hoped that the government would sanction funds under the programme as part of cleanliness drive.
Karimnagar Consumer Council activist R. Chandra Prabhakar demanded that the government should take action against the executing agency by registering criminal case for delay in the completion and escalation of the project cost.
