BELAGAVI: The 24X7 drinking water scheme in 10 demo wards of the city are almost completing a decade, but upgrading the scheme to 48 other wards has been delayed due to technical reasons.Even after a decade, the technical problems are not over. Now, the ball is in the court of the World Bank , which has to decide since the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) and implementing agency Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) have sought approval for some modifications in the restructured tender document.The first major modification is revising the estimation cost, according to present market rates, since the last tender estimation was done in 2014 by KUIDFC. The last estimated cost of the project was Rs 339 crore, but according to contractors, it’s too low. Contractors have not shown interest in doing work at the same rate and are not participating in the tender process.The second modification is considering funds spent by BCC in the past four years on drinking water projects, as its contribution in the total share. The World Bank has 72% contributor in the scheme, 18% by the state government and 10% by the local body.BCC has spent nearly Rs 39 crore under Amrut Yojane on drinking water projects in the past four years in the city, that includes a water purification plant in Laxmi Tek. Now, BCC wants to consider the spent money on drinking water projects as its contribution. In the modified draft sent to the World Bank, authorities have given up some work carried out by BCC. Now, KUIDFC and BCC are waiting for the World Bank’s reply.Umesh, technical assistant in the KUIDFC regional officer here, told TOI that the World Bank may approve of both modifications or ask for some changes. In case of changes, the process will take longer or a fresh tender would be called in the next two months. “The project will take 3-4 years to complete once it begins,” the officer said. He also said there is a need to improve water supply lines in 10 demo zones, in keeping with the increased population.BCC commissioner Shashidhar Kurer said there is no shortage of water to implement the 24X7 scheme . The plan for the next 12 years has been made considering all aspects, including water availability and lifting capacity.

Stay updated with all the Latest Hubli headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.