Karnataka Cabinet clears C&D waste project, irrigation, infra works worth thousands of crores
Belagavi (PTI): The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday cleared a large-scale construction and demolition (C&D) waste management project within the Greater Bengaluru Authority limits, sources said.
The project envisages the collection, transportation and processing of 2,250 metric tonnes per day of C&D waste through three packages of 750 tonnes per day each under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
It will be implemented for 15 years at an estimated cost of Rs 1,714.83 crore, aimed at strengthening scientific waste management in the Bengaluru metropolitan region, sources told PTI.
The Cabinet also approved the construction of a 2.03-km elevated corridor in Belagavi city, linking NH-48 to Dharmaveer Sambhaji Circle via Ashok Circle, Sangolli Rayanna Circle and Kittur Rani Chennamma Circle.
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The project, estimated at Rs 275.53 crore, is intended to ease traffic congestion and improve urban mobility in the city.
The Cabinet also granted administrative approval for replacing Horizontal Split Case pumps at pumping stations under Stage-I and Stage-II of Phase-10 of the Cauvery Water Supply Scheme at TK Halli, Harohalli and Tataguni. It will be undertaken by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board at a cost of Rs 49.30 crore.
Additionally, it also cleared the comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) of the 550 MLD water treatment plant at Stage-II of Phase-IV of the Cauvery Water Supply Scheme at TK Halli for a period of five years, at an estimated cost of Rs 38.33 crore.
A Rs 210 crore lift irrigation project to lift water from the Krishna River and supply it to the Raibag High Level Distribution Canal (RHLD) and Raibag Distribution Canals, benefiting command areas in Raibag and Chikkodi taluks of Belagavi district, was also approved by the cabinet.
Administrative approval was accorded for the revised estimate of Rs 1,503 crore for the Kerur Lift Irrigation Project covering parts of Badami and Bilagi Assembly constituencies in Bagalkote district.
The Cabinet cleared the 'Shri Karesiddeshwara Lift Irrigation Project' at an estimated cost of Rs 198.90 crore, aimed at lifting water from the Krishna River in Raibag taluk and conveying it to the Chikkodi Branch Canal.
Further, a Rs 990 crore irrigation project was approved to supply water from the Narayanapura Right Bank Canal to Pamanakallur and other areas in Maski taluk of Raichur district.
It also sanctioned a Rs 272 crore lift irrigation scheme to fill 19 tanks in Yelburga and Kukunur taluks by drawing water from the Krishna River.
The 'Karnataka District Judiciary Reforms Bill, 2025', aimed at strengthening and streamlining the district judiciary was also approved by the Cabinet.
Modifications to certain items in the Indira Food Kit (Nutritious Food Kit) distributed under the state’s welfare scheme were also cleared.
It further granted post-facto approval for extending the term of the 15th State Finance Commission up to December 31, 2025. Additionally, administrative approval was accorded for the construction of an annexe building at the Haj Bhavan premises in Tirumenahalli, Bengaluru, at an estimated cost of Rs 16.60 crore, sources said.
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MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
