The construction cost of the new vented dam which was being built at Thumbe, across the Netravathi for supplying drinking water to the city, had escalated from Rs. 40 crore to Rs. 75.50 crore.
The council of Mangalore City Corporation in its meeting on Saturday approved the revised estimated cost of the dam. The council decided to seek the State Government to pay the escalated cost of the dam. Although the council was to take a decision on approving the revised estimated cost in its meeting on April 26, 2012, it had postponed an agenda to this effect without any discussion. Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) is building the dam for Mangalore City Corporation. The construction began in 2010.
According to an agenda placed, the KUWS&DB had cited some reasons for the escalated cost. The height and depth of the dam was now being increased. The height of the dam would be increased from 10m to 12m to make it flood-resistant. It would cost an additional Rs. 3 crore.
It said that installing mechanical gates would cost an additional Rs. 16.91 crore. Use of quality grade concrete and the higher premium (Rs. 14.05 crore more) quoted by the contractor have contributed to the cost escalation. The tendered amount stood at Rs. 48.21 crore. It said that provision for an additional Rs. 73.50 lakh had been made for cable railing and lighting facilities. The cost of civil and mechanical works had escalated by Rs. 1.92 crore.
Its foundation structure was being inspected and certified by the geologists of the KPCL at regular intervals. Quality of construction was being inspected by the authorities of Indian Register of Shipping . MCC had so far paid Rs. 11 crore to the KUWSDB .
L.N. Anand, Executive Engineer, KUWSDB, earlier had gone on record that the maximum storage level at the dam would be seven metres with a storage capacity of 14.75 million cubic metres as against the existing 4.89 million cubic metres. Even if there was zero inflow, the city could be provided uninterrupted water supply for five months.
