Kalaburagi: Kalaburagi town, despite being the headquarters of Kalyana Karnataka region, continues to struggle with basic infrastructure like clean drinking water, well-maintained roads and proper drainage systems.
Residents have been forced to rely on bottled and mineral water as the much-awaited 24×7 drinking water project remains incomplete, even after the deadline given to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has expired.
In many localities, water is supplied only once in eight to ten days, causing great hardship. The situation worsens during the summer, when depleted groundwater levels leave residents unable to depend on wells. With the onset of heavy rains, the poor condition of roads and drainage networks is expected to be further exposed through multiple drownings.
L&T, which operates the water supply network, has drawn criticism from elected representatives and residents for allegedly supplying muddy water emanating from the Bhima River. As an interim measure, Kalaburagi Mahanagar Palike officials are supplying water through tankers.
The prolonged delay in the implementation of the 24×7 drinking water supply project in all 55 municipal wards has forced citizens to continue relying on illegal mineral water units, which have been added in recent years.
The city has more than 2,000 boreholes and their water is used for purposes other than drinking. However, many of these wells are currently non-functional and are awaiting repairs. Corporates and residents have slammed Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for failing to carry out maintenance and repair work on time. As a result, many people are forced to buy water from private treatment plants for their daily needs.
Accusing officials of failing to effectively implement infrastructure development projects, opposition BJP corporators alleged that contractors are reluctant to participate in road works tenders because the rates quoted are too low to be viable. They pointed to the sharp increase in the prices of raw materials, including bitumen, following the conflict in the Middle East.
They also argued that the Kalaburagi Mahanagar Palike is facing a financial crisis due to lack of adequate grants from the state government.
Former mayor Vishal Dargi said, “We had blacklisted L&T for shoddy work and delay in completing the 24X7 drinking water project. We passed a resolution in the body’s general meeting in this regard when the BJP was in power. Now, the ruling Congress has extended the deadline to the company. Many officials are not listening to the same representations, without appointing elected representatives.” he added.
Deadline June 2027
Superintendent Engineer RP Jadhav of the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd (KUIDFC) said that around 60% of the physical work allotted to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been completed. The project’s deadline has been extended by two years, although it was originally scheduled to be completed in June 2025.
Jadhav said the excavation work required to facilitate the lifting of water from the Bennethora reservoir is progressing steadily, with about 30 feet of the planned 100 feet of excavation completed so far. He expressed confidence that this component of the project will be completed by December of this year.
He further said that about 60% of the work on the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Salam Tekdi has also been completed and is progressing as per schedule.
He also said that the construction works of 6 of the 12 proposed air tanks have been completed, while the others are nearing completion. “We have completed a total of 620 km of water distribution pipeline for laying works out of the total 899 km of line. The remaining work will be completed by the end of December this year. L&T company authorities have to complete the 24×7 drinking water supply by June 2027. The project was delayed because the company had to get permission from the Irrigation Department to reclaim the water. Citizens Kalaburagi,” he said.
CCTV cameras
Meanwhile, Kalaburagi Mahanagar Palike Commissioner Avinash Shinde said that all necessary measures are being taken to improve the city’s infrastructure, including development of roads and sewers, maintenance of gardens, plantation movements and improvement of major traffic circles to ensure smoother movement of vehicles.
He said a road development project of Rs 110 crore has been launched but its implementation has been affected by the shortage of bitumen following the conflict in the Middle East.
“We are installing 100 CCTV cameras and setting up a dedicated control room to monitor waste disposal in all municipal wards. In addition, new vehicles are being procured to strengthen waste management operations. Infrastructure development works are being carried out on the lines of the Smart City project with financial assistance from the state government and Kalyana Karnataka, with Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board, with RDK. Urban Development Authority (KUDA), to improve more than 20 major traffic circles in the city,” said Avinash Shinde.
quote – "All necessary measures are being taken to improve the city’s infrastructure, including development of roads and sewers, maintenance of plantation gardens and improvement of major traffic circles to ensure smoother movement of vehicles. A Rs 110-crore road development project has been launched, but its implementation has been affected by a shortage of bitumen following the Middle East conflict. Commissioner Avinash Shinde Kalaburagi Mahanagar Palike
quote – "About 60% of the physical work assigned to Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been completed. The project deadline has been extended by two years even though it was originally scheduled to be completed in June 2025. The dredging work required to facilitate the lifting of water from the Bennethora reservoir is progressing steadily with about 30 feet of the planned 100 feet of excavation completed so far. This component of the project will be completed in December of this year. RP Jadhav Superintendent Engineer KUIDFC
