In a major development, infrastructure major L&T has been penalised ₹50 crore for significant delays and substandard execution of the city’s long-pending 24×7 water supply project. Belagavi South MLA Abhay Patil shared the information.
Of the total penalty, the company has already deposited ₹30 crore, while ₹20 crore remains pending. The issue has sparked widespread public debate, especially in the backdrop of extensive road digging across the city and the deteriorating condition of roads linked to the project.
Contract Under Scanner
Sources indicate that the action may not be limited to financial penalties alone. The government is reportedly considering a review of the contract, and legal action against the company cannot be ruled out.
Earlier, in September 2023, the Belagavi Municipal Corporation had imposed a fine of ₹21.46 crore on L&T. Then Municipal Commissioner Ashok Dudgunti had issued the notice. However, with no visible improvement in the pace or quality of work, the State Government stepped in and nearly doubled the penalty to ₹50 crore—signalling serious concerns over the project’s execution.
Delays, Extensions and Poor Quality Work
The 24×7 water supply project, a key component of the Smart City initiative, was originally scheduled for completion in phases within 60 months. Despite extensions granted by the government, the project remains incomplete.
Apart from delays, the quality of work has come under sharp criticism. Major roads across Belagavi were dug up for pipeline laying, but restoration has been poor, leaving citizens to deal with dust, potholes, and traffic congestion.
Protests and Political Pressure
Taking a strong stand, MLA Abhay Patil staged a protest outside L&T offices along with his supporters, warning that negligence in essential public infrastructure projects would not be tolerated. He also demanded immediate recovery of the pending penalty and faster completion of the project.
The issue has repeatedly surfaced in Municipal Corporation general body meetings, increasing pressure on the administration. The matter has also been raised in the Legislative Assembly, indicating growing political attention and urgency.
Source: Sakal
Leave aside the delay of 24/7 scheme even they are not ready to repair the contaminated water supply to Bapat Galli area since last 2 years though complaint alongwith with photo is lodged by residents. The concerned officials visit the site but no concrete steps are taken.
L&T MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PROJECT.
CONTRACT MUST BE TERMINATED.
PROJECT MUST BE DIVIDED INTO SMALL PROJECTS AND ALLOTTED TO SMALL LOCAL CONTRACTOR .
ON URGENT, TIME VOUND BASIS
OR THE LOCAL RULING AND OPPOSITION CORPORATORS, MLA, MINISTER WILL LOSE ELECTIONS
DONT TAKE PUBLIC SENTIMENT FOR GRANTED
How sure can we be that the fault is of L & T and not of the BCC?
L&T should be penalised more for the shabby work on covering the well constructed road while laying of pipelines
L&T should be penalised more for the shabby work on covering the well constructed road while laying of pipelines
Many parts of the city L&T has dug up pits on interior roads but never covered them with proper roadworks as before
L&T MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PROJECT.
CONTRACT MUST BE TERMINATED.
PROJECT MUST BE DIVIDED INTO SMALL PROJECTS AND ALLOTTED TO SMALL LOCAL CONTRACTOR .
ON URGENT, TIME BOUND BASIS
OR THE LOCAL RULING AND OPPOSITION CORPORATORS, MLA, MINISTER WILL LOSE ELECTIONS
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES..
DONT TAKE PUBLIC SENTIMENT FOR GRANTED
Even after the lapse of more than 60 months, the company has yet to commence the pipeline laying work for the proposed 24×7 water supply scheme in Ramtirthnagar. Instead, it continues to supply water through the existing outdated pipeline infrastructure while simultaneously collecting charges from residents. This reflects a lack of progress in project execution and raises concerns regarding the justification for such collections without corresponding service improvements.
I feel so sorry to say that the CC roads constructed under smart city projects with utmost care and quality are being damaged systematically in the name of 24X7 water supply. There is absolutely no supervision on: 1. whether the quality of the road repairs done is matching with the original quality or not? 2. there is no supervision by corporation engineers whether the digged roads are tarred or not? One fine example, datta galli road from adarsh school ground to vadagoan main road digged around 2-2.5 years back for laying of 24×7 pipeline is not tarred so far because nobody is there to question it! Similarly the beautiful road from vadagoan rural police station to bharat nagar cross was damaged for pipeline laying, a year before is not at all tarred by L&T so far. Such n- number of examples are there in the city and there is no pressure by corporation officials to monitor, supervise or initiate disciplinary actions against them. 3. There is a lack of framing proper protocol rules, systematic procedures by all concerned departments, state govt before such contracts were awarded. 4. As a citizen of belgaum, I request the authorities, officials and concerned ministers to see to it that thousands of crores of rupees spent on beautifying, constructing of roads, amenities doesn’t go waste just because we need 24×7 water supply. One big question that comes in our mind- was it necessary for us to go in for 24×7 water scheme.? If so at what cost? I feel there is dual loss of tax payers money spent on these projects- 1. Crores of money spent on laying of CC roads is being wasted. 2. Investment and spending of crores of money for laying of pipelines with so much of inconvenience to common man.