CMC to follow water rationing – Pramod Madhwaraj
Udupi: CMC Udupi will be rationing water supply as the water level in Baje dam is receding said Minister-in-charge District and Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Fisheries Pramod Madhwaraj. He was speaking to media persons during his visit to Baje dam here on February 16.
The water level is 32 cm lower compared to last year, the inflow from the Shiroor dam is also less. Pumping of water will be initiated from the springs in Shiroor River. CMC by rationing the water supply can manage the crucial summer days. Rationing of the water is possible only with the support of the public and effective planning by the water supply department. The Managing Director of MESCOM has been instructed to provide uninterrupted power to Baje dam for effective pumping. An express corridor line has been connected to the Baje dam from Manipal as a backup power source. Supply of water in alternate days becomes ineffective as the supply line becomes empty and to refill the supply line 16 hrs of additional pumping has to be initiated. CMC will take an effective decision on supplying water.
The government of Karnataka to address the water crisis has released Rs 102 crore under KUDCEMP. The water distribution lines will be improved, 8 overhead tanks will be constructed and the water pumping capacity will be increased.
A dam will be constructed in Simbra to address the water crisis effectively. A hydrological survey will be initiated to ascertaining various factors involved in the construction of the dam. The DPR and tender process will be initiated on the basis of the hydrological report.
The accountability for the water supply has to be fixed effectively; a meter will also be fixed to the Baje dam for assessing outflow to supply lines. 550 faulty meters are replaced by consumers after the CMC sent notices. Tankers will supply water to areas where water supply is affected, CMC will address this issue. A pumping source is also identified in Yerlapady and CMC will consult with its team on pumping water from there.
While the public questioned on the dredging of the river basin of Baje dam, Madhwaraj said that it is practically not possible since the water from the river has to supplied to the people, dredging may cause risk for water storage during this crucial time.
When the farmers questioned the government’s decision for not allowing them to draw water from the Baje dam even once in a week, Madhwaraj said that Irrigation policy is very clear, preference will be given only to drinking water and CMC has to manage the drinking water for another 40 days. He also said that Manipal University Institutions will also be subjected to water rationing.
CMC President Meenakshi Madhava Bannaje, ZP Member Chandrika Kelkar, CMC Commissioner Manjunathayya, CMC Members Celina Karkada, Prashanth Bhat, Chandrakanth Nayak and others were present.