MCC mulling over launching Rs. 137.42 crore water supply project

MCC mulling over launching Rs. 137.42 crore water supply project

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 18: Demonstrating a 24/7 water supply project, which the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) is planning to implement to solve the city’s water problems, Rahul of Crisil infrastructure and Shah Consultancy said that the project, when implemented in the Private Public Partnership (PPP) model, costs Rs. 137.42 crore. He was addressing a special meeting held to discuss the project at the MCC Council Hall on May 18, Wednesday.











Speaking further, he said that the civic body wanted to launch the project in 2009, but could not because of financial and technical problems. He said that the project includes provision of new connections and new pipelines, updating of new metres, and creation of data base for technical support.

When a leader of the Opposition wanted to know about the model, Rahul said that the project is designed for 2026, adding that if designed in any other way, the MCC will have to make alterations every four years.

Regarding the cost of the project, he said that the preliminary assessment had brought up the figure of Rs. 68 crore, but a detailed assessment had revealed that the project might cost as much as Rs. 137.42 crore. He explained that the central government will provide Rs. 29.1 crore, the MCC will provide Rs. 3 crore, and Rs. 113 crore will be collected from private developers. He said that, if the project is not completed for some reason, the central government will have to pay just 20 percent of the amount.

He said that the project has already been launched in Belgaum, Dharwad, and Hubli, covering around 10 percent of the people in these areas. Providing alternative suggestions, he said that if the civic body adopts water tariff, it doesn’t need to provide capital from its fund.

According to an estimate of the report, the domestic tariff for the urban BPL families who consume 0-8 kilo litre water will be only Rs 48 per month as against the present tariff of Rs 64.5.

The tariff for those who consume 8 kl to 25 kl will be Rs 116 per month whereas at present the tariff is Rs 64.5. The persons who utilise more than 40 kl, will have to shell out  Rs 806. To implement 24X7 water supply, the MCC should have metering policy, public stand post policy, the report said.

Commissioner Dr K N Vijayaprakash said that a core committee with technical experts, consultants, executive engineers will be formed to finalise the tender document. This is only a preliminary study report.  Earlier, the Commissioner said that 160 MLD water is being  pumped daily from Thumbay.

The MCC limits has 2,500 km water pipeline. Under ADB project 650 km additional pipelines has been laid in the city. Still many parts of the city does not get water round the clock.