Karwar: Karnataka Minister for Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport and Uttara Kannada district in-charge, Mankal S. Vaidya, has directed officials to ensure that no part of the district faces a drinking water crisis and to respond promptly to public grievances related to water supply.

He was speaking while chairing a meeting at the Sub-Divisional Officer’s office in Kumta on Tuesday to review the district’s drinking water situation and issues concerning National Highway works.

Highlighting the severity of the situation this year, the minister noted that several areas have been facing acute shortages of drinking water. He instructed officials to arrange tanker supply in regions lacking water sources and emphasized that payments to tanker operators must be cleared within 15 days. Expressing strong dissatisfaction, he said that despite the installation of household tap connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the department has failed to ensure regular water supply. He added that works worth at least ₹100 crore are underway under the scheme in each taluk, yet none have been completed so far.

The minister further stated that ₹25 lakh has been allocated to each taluk under the task force to address drinking water issues, and an additional ₹3 crore is expected for the district. He stressed that there is no shortage of funds to tackle the water crisis and assured that additional grants would be released if required. “Officials must ensure that the public does not face any inconvenience under any circumstances,” he said.

Speaking at the meeting, Sirsi MLA Bhimanna Naik said that 14 gram panchayats in Sirsi taluk and 19 in Siddapur taluk are facing drinking water shortages, with most lakes in these areas having dried up. He also pointed out that water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission remains inadequate.

To facilitate quicker response to complaints, the minister instructed that helpline numbers be set up at Tahsildar offices and Taluk Panchayat offices.

Expressing serious concern over the delay in the Karwar–Bhatkal National Highway project, which has remained incomplete even after 15 years, the minister directed officials to avoid unnecessary delays and submit all pending proposals at once to secure approvals and expedite the work.

He also issued directions regarding the Sirsi–Haveri highway project, asking authorities to take urgent measures to ensure that the public and vehicular movement are not affected during the monsoon. The minister suggested that at least one layer of asphalt be laid before the rains to facilitate smooth traffic and instructed that the project deadline must not be extended under any circumstances.

Kumta MLA Dinakar Shetty highlighted that excessive dust on the under-construction road has created severe discomfort for commuters, causing respiratory issues. He criticized the lack of even basic measures such as water sprinkling to control dust and urged that the issue be resolved before the onset of the monsoon.

The minister also directed officials to clean roadside drains along highways and other roads ahead of the monsoon to prevent waterlogging. He asked the power utility to take precautionary measures, ensure the safety of electric poles and transformers, and remove hazardous trees near anganwadis, schools, and public places. In case of any untoward incidents, compensation should be provided within 24 hours, he added.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner (DC) K. Lakshmipriya, Superintendent of Police (SP) Deepan M. N., Additional Deputy Commissioner Sajid Mulla, Sub-Divisional Officer Shravan Kumar, along with all Tahsildar and district- and taluk-level officials.

New Government Vehicles Flagged Off by Minister Mankal Vaidya in Kumta

The new press vehicle allotted to the Department of Information and Public Relations for Uttara Kannada district was flagged off by Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport and District In-charge Minister Mankal S. Vaidya on Tuesday at the Kumta Taluk Administrative Complex premises.

The minister also inaugurated three new vehicles for the D.V. branch of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, along with new vehicles for the Election branch and the Dandeli Tahsildar’s office.