Rs 30-Crore drinking water project underway in Bhatkal under AMRUT 2.0 Scheme

Bhatkal, May 15: With the summer season intensifying and drinking water shortages affecting daily life, a major drinking water supply project is currently being implemented in Bhatkal under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 scheme. The project, with an estimated budget of Rs 30 crore, aims to ensure piped water supply to every household in the town.

As part of the master plan, Bhatkal has been divided into six zones covering a total area of 66 km under the jurisdiction of the Bhatkal Town Municipal Council. The scheme is a joint effort by the central government, the state government, and the local municipality. The funding breakdown includes 50% (approximately Rs 12.61 crore) from the central government, 40% (around Rs 10.09 crore) from the state government, and 10% (Rs 2.52 crore) from the Bhatkal Municipality.

In addition, the municipality will allocate Rs 2.05 crore for sanitation and Rs 1.98 crore for maintenance work, raising its total contribution to Rs 6.55 crore.

The project was approved after a resolution was passed by the Bhatkal Municipal Council last year. The Karnataka Urban Development Department has handed over the execution of the work to the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board (KUWSSB). The project is being monitored by the executive engineer of the Karwar zone.

According to Bhatkal TMC in-charge president Muhiddin Altaf Kharuri, trenching and pipeline laying work has already started in areas where pipelines were previously not installed. New HDPE pipelines are being laid along the roadsides as part of the infrastructure upgrade.

He urged residents to cooperate with municipal officials and workers during the ongoing developmental work. In addition to the new pipeline work, the municipality will also inspect and upgrade older pipelines installed under the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) project launched in 2007–08. That earlier project included construction of a jackwell and pump house at Kadvinkatta and an 8.2 MLD water treatment plant on Anjuman College Hill.

Under the current AMRUT 2.0 plan, the existing water tank on Anjuman Hill will be retained and supplemented with a new 10-lakh-litre tank. In Makhdoom Colony, the existing 8-lakh-litre tank will also remain functional, while an additional 10-lakh-litre tank is being built.

Water supply will also be strengthened using existing tanks at Barni Matti near Jamia Masjid, and the tanks at Nawayath Colony and Sante Market will continue to operate as part of the town’s water distribution system.

A city-wide survey will be carried out to identify households that still do not have water connections, ensuring that every home in Bhatkal is brought under the water supply network.