The 24X7 initiative is a pilot-cum-demonstration project undertaken by Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) as part of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply Implementation Programme (KUWASIP). Based on the success of the pilot phase, the government will implement the full-fledged project in all wards of the city. Before the initiative, citizens were getting water once in 3 days, and in some areas, once in 15 days for 2 to 3 hours. Almost 30% of the population depended on private water supply. People used to depend on borewells. In Belgaum, there were 491 hand pumps and 300 power pumps. The non-revenue for water is 30%. The tariff was revised in the year 1999-2000, and no revision was done later. People used to pay a flat charge depending on the type of occupancy, residential or commercial.

Collection of the fees on water was on an annual basis, and it became difficult for the poor to give the amount in bulk. The billing is done at the municipality office. The material used for water supply before the initiative was cast iron, RCC and MS pipes.
The ULB provided the operator with their staff for the operation of the project. A number of training sessions and workshops were also conducted for the awareness of the citizen and also the workers. A 24-hour grievance redressal unit was also set up. Thorough check of the existing system was conducted before the start of the project.

The operator is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all the machinery, energy, customer complaints, meter reading and bill collection, quality of water, staff training, etc.

• Increases bulk water supply to city
• Continuous pressurized water
• Reduction in distribution loss
• Improvement in water quality and less chance of incidence of water-borne diseases
• Saving in pumping and maintenance cost
• No storage required
• Decrease in per capita consumption
• Land price doubled in Belgaum and increase of 10% in Hubli Dharwad area

The potential of replicability of the system adopted is 100%

For further details, contact:
Commissioner
Belgaum City Corporation