CAG Report No. 11 of 2025 — Implementation of Smart City Mission, Government of Karnataka

Chapter-IV
54
prepared during September 2017 observed that the lake was deteriorating due
to urbanization and human interventions and major damage was caused due to
silt accumulation and destruction of catchment area. The concept note (July
2017) for STP at Amanikere lake also opined that the project of pumping
drinking water from Bugudunahalli Tank to Amanikere Tank was not feasible.
Technical Sanction to the project was accorded with the condition to test the
suitability of water at Amanikere for drinking purposes, removal of existing
weeds, trash, and sewage sludge etc., deposited in lake, testing for poisonous
heavy metals / minerals etc., and to divert sewage away from it. The work of
diversion of sewage awarded (June 2021) by TSCL was completed (February
2023).
The Executive Engineer, KUWSDB requested (22 June 2020) TSCL to take up
the work of clearance of existing weed, trash, sewage sludge deposited in the
tank before 30 June 2020 so that pumping of drinking water to Amanikere Tank
could be started from 3 July 2020 as per the direction of the Deputy
Commissioner, Tumakuru. However, before cleaning the tank, 5,967 ML of
drinking water was pumped from Bugudunahalli Tank to Amanikere Tank from
August 2020 to January 2021. During JPV (June 2024), Audit observed that
sewage/sullage entered the lake from northern and southern sides and was full
of algae and hydrophytes (Exhibit 4.11).
Exhibit 4.11: Ammanikere tank filled with algae and hydrophyte
Source: Photos were taken during physical verification.
Thus, action of the TSCL in going ahead with works related to filling up of
Amanikere Tank without completing the work of clearance of existing weed,
trash, sewage sludge and diversion of sewage as suggested in the technical
sanction resulted in wastage of 5,967 ML of drinking water which could have
catered to the needs of the city for more than five months43 considering the
present quantum of water supplied.
43 Considering monthly water demand for Tumakuru city as 37 MLD.