Concern over delay in execution of the new vented dam work

Mangalore, April 26: Members of the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) expressed deep concern over the delay in execution of the new vented dam work and subsequently steep hike in the estimation cost of the project.

The City has been pinning hopes on the new vented dam to solve the drinking water woes that crop up in the city even before the onset of dry season.

During the general body meeting of the City Corporation, on Friday, held with Mayor Gulzar Banu in chair, the members said that the work on the new vented dam, which started about two years ago is going on at snail's pace.

“Though the initial cost of the dam was estimated at Rs 40 crore after two years the cost has escalated to Rs 75.50 crore,” said the members seeking explanation from the officials concerned with regard to the quantum jump.

Responding to this, Karnataka State Water Supply Board Executive Officer Anand said that factors like increase in the depth of the foundation, upgrade in concrete grade, increase in the height of the dam from 10 mts to 12 mts, increase in tender premium have contributed to increase in the cost estimation.

He said that further, the consultants who had initially decided on a particular standard of concrete later suggested to upgrade the grade of the concrete considering the coastal weather.

Agreeing that there has been an inordinate delay in the work already, he promised that the work will be completed by December 2013.

The reply of the official raged the members who said that they were fed up of the empty assurances made by the officials over the vented dam.

“The cost of the estimation has gone up mainly because of the delay in execution of work. Who will take the responsibility for the Rs 30 crore additional burden that has been imposed on us,” questioned the members expressing anger over the fact that with the increase of the dam height from 10 to 12 mts, another sprawling land area will be under threat of inundation and another vast area will have to be acquired.

Answering the query of the members with regard to work completed, the official said that the total length of the dam will be 350 mts.

A sum of Rs 22 crore has been earmarked for civil works, of which 30 to 40 per cent has been completed. The mechanical work of Rs 26 crore has not been started yet. There will be 15 blocks in the structure, of which work from 9th to 12th block and the last block has been started. For civil work, a sum of Rs 11 crore was released out of which Rs 10 crore has been utilised.

MSEZ dam opposed

Members have proposed the City Corporation to take over management of the dams installed by the Companies in the region to meet their own water requirement, by December every year so as to avert the impending water crisis.

The members holding several dams constructed by heavy industries in the region and hydro power projects functional here responsbile for the water paucity, said that Mangalore Sepcial Economic Zone too is going ahead with its dam construction at Jakribettu, which should be opposed.

“The AMR and MRPL dam at Sarapady is already causing lot of problems to the city with regard to drinking water supply. No more Companies should be allowed to put up dams in the region,” the members said.

Since concerns were also raised over the lacunae in implementation of ADB funded KUDCEMP project for UGD and water supply, the Mayor decided to hold a special meeting this month end.

Bunting policy

Taking note of the nuisance of various buntings with regard to programmes put up in every nook and corner of the city, the MCC decided to formulate a policy to control the same.