Mandya: An underground drainage (UGD) project worth Rs 30 crore is being implemented within the limits of the Mandya City Municipal Council through the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC), deputy commissioner Kumara said.The initiative aims to strengthen wastewater management and enhance sanitation infrastructure in the city.He was speaking at the District-Level Implementation Committee meeting held at the municipal council hall to review projects under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 and the National Green Tribunal’s Environmental Compensation Fund for used water management.As part of the project, the sewage treatment plant (STP) on Yattagadahalli Road will be upgraded to a capacity of 10 million litres per day (MLD). The STP at Chikkegowdanadoddi will also undergo major improvements. The project includes constructing a 2.72km outfall sewer line using pipes of varying diameters and laying a 462-metre UPVC pipeline.In addition, the plan covers the upgradation of primary treatment plants and wet wells and the installation of sludge pumps with a combined capacity of 83 HP. A major component of the contract is the complete operation and maintenance of the Yattagadahalli and Chikkegowdanadoddi STPs for five years. The work order was issued by KUIDFC in March 2025 to a Bengaluru-based firm, with the project originally scheduled for completion by Aug 2025. However, the DC expressed strong dissatisfaction with the progress during the meeting, noting that the work had fallen behind schedule. He directed the authorities concerned to speed up execution.Kumara instructed officials from KUIDFC, District Urban Development Cell, and the Mandya CMC to conduct regular inspections and submit progress reports. He also asked them to prepare an action plan for the Rs 4 crore sanctioned under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme for the rejuvenation of Guttalu Lake.Kumara emphasised that once the projects are completed, all wastewater will be routed to treatment plants and processed as per Karnataka State Pollution Control Board standards before being released, ensuring the lake remains free of contamination.
