Karnataka Minister Wants Firm Blacklisted Over Slow Drinking Water Project Work

Karnataka Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Eshwar Khandre has ordered officials to blacklist Larsen & Toubro Limited. The action follows complaints about slow work progress on drinking water projects.

Project Details

The company is building drinking water facilities for 388 rural habitations in Dharwad district, Kalghatgi town, and eight rural habitations in Saundatti taluk of Belagavi district. Water is sourced from the Renukasagar reservoir at Navilutheertha dam. Officials awarded the contract on April 20, 2022, with a completion deadline of October 19, 2024. Sources noted that daily pipeline progress is under 500 meters.

Official Instructions

Authorities previously ordered a trial run for 126 villages by December 2026. The firm was also told to submit a detailed weekly plan for buying pipes, laying them, testing, and trial runs. During a review meeting, officials reported that the company failed to buy pipes, bring in enough workers, submit progress reports, or speed up the work.

Context

Drinking water infrastructure projects in rural areas are vital for public health, especially during periods of drought. Delays in executing such civic works often lead to strict government penalties and contractor blacklisting to ensure accountability in public spending.