No water problem in Udupi: Raghupathy Bhat

Udupi, April 10: Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat has clarified that there was enough water to supply across the city.

Speaking to the media persons here on Monday, Mr Bhat said the City Municipal Council has chalked out elaborate developmental works, with special emphasis on basic infrastructure.

He said that 96 per cent taxes have been collected by the end of March. There is 24 hours water supply facility in the city.

Public taps have been removed and Udupi CMC is one of the few City Municipalities across the state to provide 24 hours water supply in the month of April. There is enough water in the reservoirs and the CMC can manage 24 hours water supply till May 25.

“About five cm of water is decreasing each day in the reservoirs and there will be no water shortage till May. Tanker water facility is not provided anywhere in the city because it is simply of no need,” he added.

The CMC has chalked out plans for as many as 64 construction works at the cost of Rs three crores special allocations earmarked for the purpose.

“The CMC has received special funds of Rs 30 crores under Chief Minister Small and Medium Development Project Scheme. New schemes worth Rs 25 crores are being initiated.

Tender process is over for Malpe-Padukere bridge costing Rs 7.5 crores. Tender process for the first phase of the Kalsanka-Gundibailu road widening process planned at the cost of Rs six crore is over too. However the tender is sent to the government for its approval,” he said adding that Jodukatte-Brahmagiri stretch has been widened at the cost of Rs two crores and Udupi fish market is under renovation.

Town Hall

Bhat said that a sum of Rs four crore will be invested for the renovation of Town Hall.

The work will be over by April and the inauguration will be on May 20 by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda. The structure with 850 seating capacity will have granite flooring and teak wood doors and windows. A spacious green room will be provided along with interlocking with splendid landscaping.

Bujanga Park, which is renovated at the cost of Rs two crores comprises of 800 metres of walking track. Spacious open air theater and lawn will be added attraction. Many numbers of trees will be planted giving priority to local varieties. Plans are on to build a skating track at the cost of Rs 21 lakhs around the radio tower in the days to come.

Another major project of the CMC is the construction of fish market at Adi Udupi at the cost of Rs one crore. The fish market can accommodate as many as 60 people.

There are outlets built besides seating arrangements for the fisherwomen. There are rest rooms and scientific arrangements have been made for drainage system.

Tender has been called for drainage project to be laid at the cost of Rs 25 lakhs connecting Adi Udupi to third wet well nearby.

CMC President Kiran Kumar informed that Tenkaneediyur Gram Panchayat has failed to pay the amount charged for water supplied by CMC since November besides pending old balance. Water connections were cut off for Ambalpadi, 80-Badagabettu and Kadekar Gram Panchayat.

However these Gram Panchayats have paid some amount. Tenkaneediyur Gram Panchayath is politicising the entire issue rather than holding talks with the CMC. It is the responsibility of the Panchayat to provide water to the public coming under its jurisdiction, he added.