Karkala: Varahi river is the only hope for 24x7 water supply

Karkala: Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which provides water to various villages in Karkala and Hebri taluks, water is currently being supplied to all areas. However, for a 24x7 water supply, the arrival of Varahi river water is essential.

For this to materialize, hurdles related to the Forest Department must be resolved.

Permission from the Kundapura Forest Department subdivision is required for works in the Hebri, Mudradi, and Belve reserve forest areas, and this process is moving forward in stages. Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department engineers reported that pipeline and tank construction are pending in certain forest patches, with expectations for completion within the next two months.

Challenges in forest areas

The main pipeline works have been delayed due to the pending permissions from the Forest Department near the Hebri-Mudradi bridge and Belve. Department sources mention that managing the work is challenging amid labor shortages and administrative delays.

Additionally, out of the total overhead tanks to be built, construction is pending for 6 tanks in Hebri and 4 in Karkala due to technical reasons. Officials stated that these remaining works are now in progress and will be completed soon.

Water every two days, no supply in some areas

Currently, water is being supplied through 406 borewells (322 in Karkala, 84 in Hebri) across both taluks. Alongside existing tap connections, additional connections have been provided to most households through new pipelines under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Since all Gram Panchayats rely on these same borewell sources, the public alleges that water is supplied only once every two days, while some elevated areas receive no water at all.

Department officials have assured that once the Varahi project is operational, all connections will receive daily water supply.

1,958.6 km pipeline

The Jal Jeevan Mission project in Karkala and Hebri taluks is a massive technical milestone. A vast pipeline network spanning a total of 1,958.6 km has been installed, including 1,542.35 km in Karkala and 416.25 km in Hebri. This network provides direct connections to 23,393 houses in Karkala and 6,253 houses in Hebri, benefiting a total of 29,646 families with Varahi river water.

Mission 99% complete

The JJM mission in Karkala-Hebri is 99% complete. The remaining work is being carried out in stages, and the Forest Department's permission process is underway. We will complete the last 1% of the work shortly. Out of 245 projects, 244 are finished. We have undertaken the work systematically under the guidance of the MLA. Currently, water is being supplied through local borewells. The goal of the project is to deliver Varahi river water to every household by January 2027. - Surendranath, AEE, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department.