Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Apr 24: Former MLA Vijaykumar Shetty blamed the district administration, the state government and MCC managing committee for the existing water crisis in the city and said that water supply to several power projects like West Hydro Energy Private Limited, Sakaleshpura, International power corporation limited, Marnahalli, Nagarjuna Hydro Energy Private Limited, Gundya, Disha Power project, Kadaba, Baruka Power Private Limited, Nidle, Sagar Power Private Limited, AMR and Hrithwik Power Private Limited in the Kumaradhara and Netravathi rivers should have been stopped in January, but the district administration in a bid of making more profit, permitted electricity production till February 16 and caused scarcity of drinking water to the public. He was addressing a press meet held at district congress office on Tuesday April 24.
He added that a vented dam of 20-feet height belonging to AMR power project in Shambur, 7 km away from Tumbey vented dam has the capacity of storing water uptill 10 km. It was also permitted to produce electricity till February 16. Beneath the dam, rocks were blasted, and water was emptied to resume concrete work.
On March 10, the gate wall of MRPL dam in Sarapady was closed and inflow to Tumbey dam was completely stopped, as a result water level in Tumbey decreased.
He said that MCC Dr Harish Kumar also expressed his displeasure over the officials not following his instructions. To a query regarding the requirement of the Mayor’s foreign tour during water crisis in city, former MLA said that it was a prearranged programme and she could not turn from it. About alleged misuse of water in some of the apartments by using ‘pressure pump’ he said it will be brought to the notice during next meeting.
Former MLA Vijaykumar Shetty said unless the new vented dam readies, 24/7 water supply is not possible.
Former mayor Shashidhar Hegde, corporators Deepak Poojary, Naveen D’Souza, leaders T K Sudhir, Sadashiva Ullal, Althaf, Nazir among others were present at the press meet.