Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah Reviews KUWSDB Projects, Orders Survey of All STP Units in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Urban Development Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Friday reviewed the progress of projects being implemented by the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) and issued a series of directions aimed at improving project execution, wastewater management and administrative efficiency.
The minister directed the Board to conduct a comprehensive survey of all sewage treatment plant (STP) units across the state. He instructed officials to properly map sewerage networks and sewage treatment facilities in all areas and adopt appropriate advanced technologies based on the capacity and requirements of each location.
Reviewing the progress of various projects, Dr. Siddaramaiah asked officials to achieve the prescribed targets by identifying delayed works, holding discussions with contractors and resolving implementation bottlenecks. He also directed that unnecessary fund releases without valid reasons should be avoided and suggested that a policy framework modelled on the World Bank’s funding practices be prepared for the release of funds to contractor agencies.
Expressing concern over inadequate maintenance of projects and non-payment of dues by local bodies, the minister said the Board should formulate an independent policy to establish a sustainable revenue-generating mechanism.
To prevent water loss and misuse, he advised the Board to introduce smart meters initially on a pilot basis and examine a model under which the Board itself manages the system to improve revenue generation.
The minister also instructed that local bodies must be fully consulted while preparing project reports and reserving land for STP construction. Once land is finalised, repeated changes should be avoided and the technical team should take full responsibility for project execution.
Officials briefed the minister on the Board’s overall progress during the meeting.
Except for the Greater Bengaluru area, the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board is responsible for providing water supply and underground drainage infrastructure in urban areas across the state. So far, safe drinking water from permanent surface water sources has been provided to 256 urban areas, while the remaining 60 towns are supplied through groundwater sources.
As of March 2026, the Board has implemented 649 water supply projects and 181 underground drainage (UGD) projects. A total expenditure of Rs. 16,887.84 crore has been incurred, including Rs. 11,531.91 crore for drinking water projects and Rs. 5,355.93 crore for sewerage projects.
For 2026-27, the State Budget has allocated Rs. 700 crore under the State Plan for Board projects.
The minister was informed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a Rs. 1,863-crore 24×7 drinking water supply project for Kalaburagi has received in-principle approval. Major works are also underway for Mysuru, including the Cauvery (Undavadi) bulk water supply project with an estimated cost of Rs. 595 crore.
Under the AMRUT 2.0 programme, a total of 227 water supply projects worth Rs. 9,590 crore have been taken up. Contracts have been awarded for 215 projects, and works are progressing at various stages.
KUWSDB Chairperson Shivalila Vinay Kulkarni, Urban Development Department Secretary B.B. Kaveri, KUWSDB Managing Director Dr. Mahesh and other officials attended the meeting.
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