For the past 14 years, the initiative to provide round-the-clock drinking water to 58 wards in Belgaum city and the Cantonment area remains unfinished. Although launched in 2007-2008 with joint efforts from the central and state governments, only 10 wards have seen the completion of the scheme.
After a span of 14 years, the commencement of a 24×7 tap connection initiative has begun in the first phase at Rani Chennamma Nagar. Currently, 800 new tap connections have been successfully established as part of this campaign.
Residents highlight that the project, slated for completion by 2025, has been advancing slowly due to the officials’ failure to obtain clearance from the forest department and various other factors.
The estimated population of Belgaum city is 550,000, residing across 58 wards. Water for the city is sourced from the Rakkasakoppa Reservoir on the Markandeya River in Belgaum taluk and the Hidkal Reservoir, located on the Ghataprabha River in Hukkeri taluk.
Of the total 108 million liters per day (MLD) water supplied to the 58 wards of Belgaum city and the Cantonment areas, 54.5 MLD originates from the Hidkal Reservoir, while the rest is sourced from the Rakasakoppa Reservoir. The residential area of the city necessitates 75 MLD of water daily.
After a span of 14 years since its initiation, the endeavor to establish a 24×7 water connection has commenced in the first phase in Rani Chennamma Nagar. The Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) has introduced a water pipeline connection.
Ravikumar, the manager at L&T Belgaum, mentioned that several tasks associated with the water supply scheme have been delegated to L&T. As per this initiative, a grand total of 87,000 tap connections are slated for provision. Numerous hurdles, such as delays in obtaining clearance from the forest department, impede the project’s progress. It is anticipated that 8,000 tap connections will be facilitated within this year, with an additional year required to finalize the project.
Ashok Burakali, the chief engineer at Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC), indicated that the initial phase of the 24×7 drinking water initiative has commenced in Rani Chennamma Nagar. “This trial project is expected to be fully operational within six months,” he remarked. “By June 2025, all households will have their water connections completed,” he further stated.
