If plans go according to schedule, the work on the project will commence by November and the dam is likely to be ready before the next monsoon.
“However, for the completion of all works related to the project, it will take at least two years. We hope the dam works will begin at the earliest,” Mangalore Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Kantharaju told media persons on the sidelines of a review meeting of the State Third Finance Commission here on Monday.
The Malavoor multi-village drinking water project was visualised almost 8 years ago. It was intended to supply water to 12 villages under 7 gram panchayats namely Bala, Malavoor, Moodushedde, Bajpe, Ekkar, Permude and Jokatte.
However, from the very beginning of the idea, it faced one or other problems at every step, leaving the beneficiaries in disappointment. It was in 2004-05 , Rs 14 crore project was planned, and tender was invited for Rs 12.65 crore. The contractors came forward with a proposal of Rs 18.19 crore, quite higher than what the government expected. Since then the plan was pending with the Department of Drinking Water, Ministry of Rural Development.
Rs 18.19 crore project
Recently, the Union government approved Rs 18.19 crore project and granted more authority to the State government to ahead with the project. One of the conditions here is that 10 per cent of the total amount should be collected from the beneficiaries.
“The Central government now has agreed to give Rs 16.38 crore, and the rest should be collected from the public. Rs 92.56 lakh has already been collected in this direction. In fact, the rates of the materials required has hiked by 30 per cent, hence the total project cost may reach Rs 25 crore,” Mr Kantharaju said, adding that an NITK experts team has come forward with a revised project of Rs 20.5 crore.
As per the present plan, the TP Accounts Superintendent Sheikh Hasan said, the dam will cost Rs 850 lakh; jackwell and in take- Rs 33.80 lakh; treatment plant- Rs 142 lakh; water pumping system- Rs 30.40 lakh; transmission line- Rs 555 lakh; 15 lakh litre capacity ground level reservoir- Rs 58.70 lakh; one lakh litre capacity four over head tanks- Rs 69.50 lakh; 2.5 lakh litre capacity two over head tanks- Rs 41 lakh; fencing- Rs 21 lakh; yard lighting- Rs 10.5 lakh.
