The under-construction intake well at Janibili and
BERHAMPUR: The Janibili project in Ganjam district, meant to improve water supply to Greater Berhampur, is likely to miss its deadline owing to slow pace of work. The `413 crore project, the foundation of which was laid by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in 2013, is aimed at addressing the drinking water crisis in Berhampur as well as Aska, Hinjilicut and 54 villages. The tender for the project was floated three years after laying of the foundation stone in 2016 and the work was entrusted to Chennai based M/S Larsen & Toubro.
As per an agreement, L&T had committed to complete the project by November 2018. The project includes construction of a intake well, laying of pipeline on a patch of 58 km from Janibili to Berhampur, a treatment plant at Jagadalpur, and laying of pipelines across Berhampur. According to a field study conducted by Express, while L & T was given a target to complete the task by November this year, not even half of the project has been completed till now. Laying of pipeline has been completed in around 24 km out of the 58 km stretch.Similarly, pipeline has been laid on 92 km across Berhampur city against the target of 233 km.
Recently, the Chief Minister had expressed his displeasure over the delay and directed the State Housing and Urban Development department to take up the matter with L&T to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated time frame. However, with more than 50 pc of work pending, it is highly unlikely that the project can meet its deadline.
