NR Pura gets only barrage but no water

Even after 11 years of completing a permanent drinking water project at Menasooru to lift water from Bhadra backwater, the residents of Narasimharajapura are yet to get water.

The work on water supply was taken up at a cost of Rs 5.8 crore, taking into consideration the possible population of the town in 2031. A barrage was constructed at Menasooru to store water in spite of the public opposing the construction.

When the project was completed, the expenditure on the project had escalated to Rs 10 crore. As water could not be stored in the barrage, the supply to Narasimharajapura has remained a mirage.

Motor connection and electric equipment that were installed near the jackwell have remained unused, following a confusion between the Town Panchayat and the Department that had taken up the maintenance work. Miscreants have also made an attempt to take away the meters connected.

Maruthi, engineer at the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, Chikkamagaluru division, told DH, “The water project had been handed over to the Town Panchayat on February 6, 2009. The project should be maintained by the Town Panchayat.”

He further said that the Lokayukta officials have taken up a new project on the project. They have visited the site for inspection and the report is awaited.

Chief officer Kuriakose said, “The Council of the Town Panchayat had opposed taking over the project. As a result, the maintenance did not come under the realm of the Town Panchayat.”

Resident H N Ravishankar said, “The permanent drinking water project has not benefited the residents of Narasimharajapura. Had the barrage been constructed near Halemandagadde bridge, the water from the barrage could have been used to fill all the lakes.”

Vinayak Maluru Dinne, member of the Raitha Sangha, said, “The water project was taken up unscientifically. The project was a sheer waste of the tax payers’ money.”