Chaotic implementation of JJM works in Ward 8 of Nayakanahatti in Challakere taluk
Of the 1,559 works taken up across six taluks in four batches since 2019, 1,011 have been completed. The administration has declared 801 villages as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ villages, while water is being supplied through pipelines at 615 locations, officials informed a recent review meeting chaired by zilla panchayat CEO S Akash. The works, launched in 2019, were scheduled for completion by the end of 2023.
Officials have been directed to expedite the works, while contractors have been granted a penalty waiver and instructed to complete the projects without further delay – S Akash, CEO, Chitradurga ZP Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news.
“Taps have been installed outside our houses, but no water flows through them,” is a common complaint among villagers. Chitradurga: Seven years after the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to provide safe drinking water to every rural household, the project in Chitradurga district remains incomplete, with several villages still waiting for regular supply despite infrastructure being put in place. However, ground realities have raised questions over these claims. The project has also come under scrutiny over alleged irregularities, incomplete works and payments for unfinished projects. Officials have reportedly identified instances of poor implementation, pipelines being laid without ensuring a reliable water source, and existing water sources remaining underutilised. In Hiriyur taluk, work to supply drinking water from Gayathri reservoir to villages in Javanagondanahalli hobli is at the trial stage. A trial run has been conducted from JG Halli to Kariyala village. Except for Aymangala, VV Pura, Suragondanahalli, Javanagondanahalli and Kariyala, most villages in the taluk depend on borewells under the scheme. The situation is particularly grim in Molakalmuru taluk, where implementation has progressed slowly. Roads dug up for pipeline work have been left unrepaired, while damage to existing water pipelines has reportedly raised health concerns. Officials have complained at review meetings that contractors are not visiting the taluk and are difficult to contact even for serving notices proposing blacklisting. MLA NY Gopalakrishna has repeatedly expressed displeasure at review meetings, saying the scheme has caused more inconvenience than benefit and questioning its utility. The situation is no different in parts of Holalkere and Challakere taluks, where delays and implementation issues continue to hamper the project. Water meters were also installed to monitor consumption. However, several meters in rural areas are reportedly not functioning properly. The continued delay has prompted CEO Akash to direct engineers of the rural drinking water and sanitation department to initiate the prescribed legal process to blacklist contractors who have failed to execute the works, instead of merely recommending that they be barred from future tenders. With hundreds of works still incomplete and several villages yet to receive reliable water supply, the gap between official declarations and ground reality remains a major concern for rural residents. QUOTE: “JJM works have been delayed significantly. Download the TOI App.