KUIDFC Commits to Three-Day Water Supply for Hubballi-Dharwad by March Deadline
The Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) has made a firm commitment to provide drinking water once every three days for residents of the twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad by March 31. This assurance was formally presented during a special general body meeting of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) in February, marking a critical step in addressing long-standing water scarcity issues.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Water Requirements
To fulfill this pledge, KUIDFC has identified the need for an additional 43 million liters per day (MLD) of water from the Malaprabha River. Currently, the cities receive 200 MLD from the Malaprabha River and 20 MLD from Neersagar 2, but this falls short of meeting the demand for regular supply. Significant infrastructure developments are underway to support this goal.
A new water purification unit has been established in Amminabhavi village, with extensive pipeline networks installed to enhance distribution. This includes a 29.5-kilometer pipeline from Savadatti to the purification unit and a 17.9-kilometer pipeline from the unit to the Rayapura water tank. According to KUIDFC officials, these installations are now operational, with water flowing into a 4.3 ML tank, setting the stage for improved supply.
Current Water Supply Disparities and Challenges
The water supply situation across Hubballi-Dharwad remains highly uneven. Out of 82 wards in the city:
- 13 wards enjoy 24x7 water supply.
- 25 wards receive daily water supply.
- The remaining wards face varied schedules: once in 3 days (8 wards), once in 4 days (9 wards), once in 5 days (8 wards), once in 6 days (9 wards), and once in 7 days (10 wards).
In some areas, residents report going without water for 9 to 10 days at a time, a situation exacerbated by power problems and urgent maintenance work. These disparities highlight the urgency of KUIDFC's new initiatives.
Official Statements and Resident Skepticism
Savita Katigennavar, Superintending Engineer at KUIDFC, provided an update on the progress. "The pipeline work from Aminabhavi to Rayapur water tank was completed recently," she stated. "We are now gradually supplying water area-wise, and we expect to see noticeable improvements by the first week of April. Households in the twin cities should start receiving water once every three days within the next 10 to 15 days."
However, residents express skepticism based on past experiences. Basavaraj Yaragatti, a Hubballi resident, voiced concerns: "Every summer, we are promised drinking water every three to four days, yet some wards don't get water even after 8 to 10 days. KUIDFC has assured supply by March 31, and we are waiting to see if it happens. Ideally, we should have had 24/7 water in all wards by now, but the authority has failed to implement the project effectively."
This sentiment reflects broader doubts about whether KUIDFC can meet its March 31 deadline, given the historical challenges and ongoing infrastructure hurdles. The success of this initiative hinges on the seamless integration of new pipelines and consistent water sourcing from the Malaprabha River.
