Plan for future urban demands, Minister tells Raichur officials

Yathindra Siddaramaiah. | Photo Credit: File photo Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah has directed officials to prepare comprehensive long-term plans to meet the growing demand for drinking water, solid waste management and basic infrastructure in Raichur city.Chairing a review meeting of the Raichur City Corporation and Raichur Urban Development Authority (RUDA) at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Monday (September 7), Dr. Yathindra said the city currently receives 52 million litres a day (MLD) against a demand of 90 MLD. He asked officials to plan for the city’s future needs, considering the current population of around 3.5 lakh.With the district facing drought conditions, the Minister stressed the need to prevent wastage of drinking water and ensure its judicious use. Legislators at the meeting also raised issues concerning water supply and distribution.Basanagouda Daddal, MLA, suggested sourcing drinking water from the Gurjapur reservoir instead of the Ganekal reservoir to avoid conflicts with farmers. N.S. Boseraju, MLC, pointed to losses in the distribution network and called for restructuring it. Vasanth Kumar, MLC, sought the revival of the defunct water treatment plants at Devasuguru and Chikkasuguru to augment supply.City Corporation Commissioner Jubin Mohapatra said a Detailed Project Report had been prepared for providing continuous drinking water supply to the city and would be submitted to the government shortly.He said a ₹135-crore proposal had been submitted under the Urban Challenge grant for slum infrastructure. Restoration work was under way at the historic Mavina Kere lake, while a commercial complex was proposed at the Usmania Vegetable Market.Mr. Mohapatra said ₹51 crore had been approved for roads and drainage, while ₹181 crore had been allocated under the Mahatma Gandhi Urban Development Scheme. A ₹100-crore proposal had also been prepared for a new ring road.On encroachments, he said directions had been issued to provide sale deeds to eligible beneficiaries in Siddapura, relocate 101 hilltop site owners to alternative land and remove illegal encroachments through due legal process. The corporation has also received approval to recruit pourakarmikas on contract and procure additional waste-collection vehicles.More than 60% of properties have received e-Khatas, he said, adding that a special drive was under way to achieve full coverage.Later, the Minister launched the second phase of the ‘Corporation at Your Doorstep’ Revenue Adalat, distributed e-Khatas and uniform kits to pourakarmikas, and inspected ongoing urban infrastructure and waste-management projects. Published - September 07, 2026 08:01 pm IST