Bhatkal: Dr. Dilish Shashi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Uttara Kannada Zilla Panchayat, undertook a field visit on Wednesday to inspect the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in several villages across Honnavar and Bhatkal taluks.

The inspection covered a range of components under the rural drinking water supply scheme, including the quality of household tap connections, installation of water meters, consistency of water supply, road restoration after pipeline works, and water quality testing using Field Test Kits (FTKs). Dr. Shashi also reviewed reports related to the functioning of Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSC) and the implementation of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) policies.

A key part of the visit included an inspection of the Jackwell site at Shirali MVS (Multi-Village Scheme) in Bhatkal taluk, where he issued directives to expedite and complete the remaining works.

Speaking after the visit, Dr. Shashi emphasized that the Jal Jeevan Mission is playing a vital role in ensuring clean and safe drinking water to every rural household in the district. He also highlighted the heightened risk of water contamination due to excessive rainfall in recent days and instructed officials to take stringent measures to keep water sources clean and uncontaminated. Additionally, he urged the public to be vigilant about water safety during the monsoon season.

The inspection was attended by executive officers of Honnavar and Bhatkal Taluk Panchayats, assistant executive and assistant engineers, taluk panchayat managers, engineers from the Rural Water Supply (RWS) division, JJM District Project Manager (DPM), PDOs, presidents and members of various Gram Panchayats, contractors, watermen, and local villagers.