Karnataka: Khandre orders blacklisting of L&T over delay in rural water supply projects

Bengaluru: Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday ordered the blacklisting of infrastructure behemoth L&T over alleged delays in completing drinking water projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) covering 388 rural habitations in Dharwad and Belagavi districts.

The minister, who reviewed the JJM performance with senior officials in Bengaluru, said the company had failed to procure water pipes and make adequate progress despite receiving a final notice. The project involves supplying water from the Renukasagar reservoir to villages in Dharwad and Belagavi districts, as well as Kalaghatgi town.

ET has mailed to L&T seeking its response.


The minister said he had directed contractors and officials at a review meeting on September 11 to expedite pending work and submit weekly progress reports. However, the contractor had not complied with the directions, prompting the government to initiate action.

Expressing concern over delays in several multi-village drinking water schemes, Khandre instructed officials to issue final notices to lagging agencies.

"The government will not tolerate delays in work except where they are caused by issues such as forest clearances," he said. Delays in drinking water projects undermine the objective of ensuring reliable water supply, particularly at a time when several parts of the state are facing water stress due to inadequate rainfall, he added.

Khandre said timely completion of multi-village water supply schemes was critical to addressing recurring drinking water shortages. He directed officials to take stringent action against contractors that fail to deploy sufficient manpower or place orders for essential materials.

The minister also flagged inadequate power supply in rural areas as a major hurdle in operating water supply systems, noting that it affects pumping water to overhead tanks. He directed officials to write to the concerned power distribution companies (DISCOMs) and convene meetings to resolve the issue.

Principal Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Secretary D Randeep, Commissioner Fauzia Tarannum, Chief Engineer B Venkataraju and CEO Rahul Shinde attended the meeting.