mangalore today

Minister Khader directs release of water for April 29, 30 in city


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 29, 2019: The City Corporation/MCC will supply water daily to its citizens April 29 and 30, said District In-charge Minister U T Khader.  The water level at the Thumbe vented dam has reached 4.9 metre, said the minister.

 

Khader-1.


Khader-2.JPG


Addressing media after taking stock of water availability at the Thumbe dam, which is the main drinking water source to Mangaluru.

Discussion :  The minister said, “After April 30, the availability of water will be checked. There will be a discussion with experts, officials and elected representatives, before taking a call on rationing of water supply.”

“Looking at the availability of water at the Thumbe dam, if water is supplied daily, then it will be sufficient till May 28. If the present rationing system – of 96-hour water supply and 48-hour discontinuing of water supply – is followed, then the water in the dam will be sufficient till June 15,” said Khader.

The minister added, “If water is not supplied, it will get evaporated. If the water supply is rationed, then people will store in huge quantities. We will take a suitable decision shortly, keeping all the aspects in mind. The authorities want to ensure proper supply of water to the residents during summer.”

Khader also appealed to the citizens to cooperate with the authorities.

Inflow from AMR :  “The inflow of water into the Thumbe vented dam is nil for now. Water from the AMR dam has already been released into the Thumbe dam. If the AMR dam gets water, then it will be released to the Thumbe vented dam once again,” said the minister.

“As the model code of conduct is in force, I have written to the Election Commission seeking permission to hold a meeting with the DK DC. The permission is awaited,” Khader said.

He added that the state government has released Rs 6.25 crore to tackle the drinking water crisis in the district.

“Measures have been taken to repair the 48 open wells in the district. Further, 134 borewells have been repaired. If the crisis aggravates, then water from private borewells will be utilised for the supply. The City Corporation has already started supplying water to eight affected wards, using eight tankers. Water is being supplied through tankers to 13 gram panchayats in Mangaluru taluk,” he explained.

Khader also said that the water storage level in Thumbe dam will be increased from six metres to seven metres height.   “The DC has already been asked to hold talks with the owners of the land that will be submerged in water if the storage level is increased. The government is committed to provide compensation for the submerged land,” the minister added.

Bridge cum barrage : The estimated cost of the bridge cum barrage between Harekala and Adyar that was announced in the last state budget has been increased to  Rs 228 crore. As the model code of conduct is in force, the tender for the work was delayed. The tender process will be completed by June-end.  It is proposed to store water at four-metre height in the bridge cum barrage to improve matters in future.