The Government of Karnataka (GoK), through the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC), has initiated Water and Sanitation Sector (WSS) reforms, more than a decade ago, through its flagship project Karnataka Urban Water Supply Improvement Project (KUWASIP). GoK has successfully implemented 24×7 water supply in select demonstration zones in the cities of Hubli-Dharward, Belgaum and Gulbarga. Based on the success of these demonstrations and demand from communities and elected representatives of the three ULBs, now GoK has planned to expand the 24×7 water supply from the demonstration zones to the entire cities of Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum and Gulbarga.
SamajVikas has been entrusted to develop a Communication and Social Intermediation Strategy for the three cities based on a household survey and focus group discussions with stakeholders. This CSIS study is the first step of a communication and stakeholder engagement in planning. For this purpose, “Stakeholder Consultation Meet” was conducted in Belgaum at IMA Hall, on Friday February 21, 2014. The objective of this meet was to seek suggestions and opinions from the participants on proposed upscaling of 24×7 water supply in Belgaum. These will be integrated in designing the Communication and Intermediation Strategy for the city wide 24×7 water supply. The Executive Engineer, KUWS&DB, eminent citizen group representatives such Lions Club, Rotary Club, Professors of KLE, and retd principal, local NGOs, former corporator, representatives of Cooperative Housing Societies, architect, retd government officials, women SHGs and Mahila Mandal members participated in the meeting.
Mr. Uday Shidagoudar coordinated the event and welcomed the participants. Mr. R S Arakeri, AEE/PIU, KUIDFC shared details of Karnataka Urban Water Supply Improvement Project (pilot of 24 x7 in demo zone) implemented in Belgaum. Ms. Madhuri Newale, Samaj Vikas presented the study findings and shared demo zone results. The participants appreciated the efforts of the Corporation and Water Board in Demo Zone, welcomed the plan of citywide introduction of 24×7 and indicated their willingness to participate in the upscaling. — expressed the need of inculcating behavior changes among children on judicial use and saving of water and electricity. The highlight of meeting was active participation of women indicating the need and concerns in non-demo zone. SHG women from demo zone shared the benefits they received and reported that they now have more free time for other social and domestic activities.