Failure of several factors adding to water crisis, says Minister Khader

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 20, 2019: Speaking to press  on May 19,  Sunday, DK District In-charge Minister U T Khader said that the failure of many factors  like pre-monsoon rain has worsened the water crisis in the district.

The minister added that the current water rationing system will allow the water in Thumbe vented dam sufficient till June 6. The rationing in the month of April has helped the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) manage the crisis too.

The MCC is using 20 tankers for areas facing difficulties and will use five more tankers for supply.

It has cleaned and repaired 14 open wells. The authorities have let 15 borewells be sunk. Six borewells that are sunk had about four inches of water, he added.

More borewells needed :  “A geologist has been asked to submit a report on sinking additional borewells in the city. Mescom was asked to give immediate power connections to lift water from new borewells. A meeting will be held today May 20, Monday to review the crisis and preparation for monsoon,” he said.

“The government is monitoring the water crisis. After the meeting, more funds will be sought to tackle the crisis. On mitigating the crisis, a series of check dams will be built under the Paschima Vahini project costing about Rs 200 crore. All the work on check dams are in tender stage. Once the bridge cum barrage between Harekala – Adyara is completed, the storage capacity will improve,” Khader said.

Khader said sea water desalination plant was an expensive project. “The files are pending. Water supply from the desalination unit to the consumer will not be viable,” he added.