Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, Mar 11: "The deputy commissioner has issued orders to AMR Power Private Limited and MRPL not to draw water from Netravati river so that Mangaluru city does not face scarcity. A corporation engineer and a guard are assigned to ensure that the orders are followed," said newly elected mayor Kavita Sanil.
Kavita Sanil visited the Thumbay dam area which supplies drinking water to Mangaluru on Saturday, March 11 and she inspected the level of water there. She later visited AMR dam area in Shambhoor and consulted the officials.
Speaking to reporter, she said, "Thumbay and AMR dams have sufficient water that can be supplied for 65 days to Mangaluru corporation limits. Maximum efforts will be made to provide drinking water to all," she said.
"As the inflow into Netravati river has stopped, water levels in Thumbay and AMR dams are decreasing by 15 centimetres every day. Therefore deputy commissioner has issued orders to MRPL and MSEZ not to lift water from AMR Power Private Limited dam. MCC commissioner Mohammed Nazeer has requested that necessary orders in this respect be issued to officials. Therefore, the orders have been passed," she said.
"The level of water is about 4.5 metres at present. It can be supplied to the corporation limits for approximately 20 to 25 days, while the water stored in the AMR dam can be sufficient for about 45 days. The water may not be used for construction activities. A meeting will be held with the district in-charge minister, MLA, senior corporators and former mayors to decide the future course of action. We will ensure that people will not face scarcity of water," she said.
"Water should be used for agriculture only if necessary. If water is being supplied from the river to paddy fields, give suitable guidelines to farmers so as not to waste water. The deputy commissioner has asked to give priority to drinking water," said corporation commissioner Mohammed Nazeer.
Deputy mayor Rajaneesh, former mayors Mahabala Marla, Harinath, Shashidhar Hegde, corporation commissioner Nazeer, Engineer Linge Gowda, corporator Radhakrisha and others were present.