– R. Krishna Kumar
MYSURU:
With Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) coming to refocus with increasing levels of mercury and uneven distribution, social workers have demanded the creation of a separate unit for drinking water supply to Mysuru.
This comes on the heels of the Karnataka Urban Water and Drainage Board (KUWDB) carrying drinking water supplies in villages falling under the boundary of Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
The responsibility of supplying drinking water to villages falling under MUDA’s boundary with KUWDB was announced earlier this month.
Bhami V., the founder of the Mysore Grahakara Council (MGP). Shenoy said that a single institution specializing in drinking water supply should be in charge and therefore it was high time that KUWDB also takes responsibility for supplying drinking water to the city.
Currently, Vani Vilas Water Works under the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is tasked with ensuring water supply to Mysuru and there are criticisms that it was found to be desirable.
Mr. Shenoy justified the need for a single unit, stating that this would help in entering into more professionalism besides reducing political interference by local councilors. He said that the population and area of the city was increasing and the MCC was struggling to ensure equal distribution of water.
There is a general belief that due to the political intervention of the local body, the VVWS cannot make any decisions independently nor can plan or implement new projects to meet the future requirements of the city.
Chandraprakash, a professor of commerce and management at the University of Mysore, said that the scheme related to water supply was on the best ad hoc basis based on immediate needs.
He said, “First they added Hongli and then another project was started to draw water from Melapura and then Kabini. Mr. Chandraprakash said that there is no comprehensive plan to meet the long-term needs of the city. He It also gave examples of how some electronic assets, such as electronic-flow systems, were left behind by JUSCO, remaining unused and devalued under VVWW.
Activists said that the MCCs themselves were stripped for funds and they lacked variables for long-term planning. A case in point is the proposed Halunduvadi Water Works proposed about 10 years ago. It is located at a distance of a few km from KRS and water availability is perennial. This will not only help in supplying drinking water to Mysuru from about 250 MLD to 300 MLD, but will also fulfill the requirements of Mysuru for the next 50 years. However, the cost is prohibitive and cannot be enforced by the local body and hence activists wanted KUWDB to manage drinking water supply in Mysuru.
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