Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Mar 31: Issues of water scarcity and irregular supply of water dominated the general body meeting of City Municipality Council (CMC) at Satyamurthi auditorium here on Friday, March 31.
Raising the issue, Councillor Yashpal Suvarna said, “There is an acute shortage of water in the city wards and some wards have not got water from a week. No one has taken initiative about dredging work in the dam so far. In just two months, Udupi would face severe water problem. The supply of water should be equal for each ward. The council must act now to tackle the water scarcity before it is too late.”
Harish Ram also complained about irregular water supply to Bannanje ward.
Interrupting question- answer session, Ramesh Kanchan demanded for a detailed explanation from assistant engineer about preparedness of CMC to deal with water woes.
Replying to him, assistant executive engineer, Ganesh K said, “The water level in Baje dam has gone down to 1.17 metre. Compared to last year, the water level in the dam is abysmal. Everyday 15 MLT of water is spent for around 355 apartments in city. The demand for water has been increasing, but the source is getting empty. Hill station areas will not able to get water in coming days. There are 70 complaints received with regard to this. Workers and the officials are responding positively to all public problems and serving day and night to manage water supply. CMC supplies water 12 to 15 hours a day.”
Raghavendra, environmental engineer, said, “At present, 3.31 metres of water is available at Baje dam. It is enough only for next 25 days. This year, we will have more water shortage compared to last year. CMC will provide water once in two days for balancing water problem from the next month. If they keep the same measure, they can manage water supply till June 5.”
Yashpal Suvarna and other opposition party councillors were seen disrupting the meeting for small reasons. Yashpal allegedly used abusive language in Tulu to nominated member Janardhan Bhandarkar to say ‘Sit down’.
The ruling party councillors demanded apology for his abusive words and warned that he should not use such language in coming days and it was an insult to CMC.
Regarding dredging work, CMC Commissioner Manjunathayya said, “The work has already started at Sanekallu and Erlapady. There is water source available at Marne Bridge which is enough for 15 days. Shiroor and many other places, we found rocks and stones while dredging was in progress. Because of this, we have reduced pumping capacity to manage water for next two months.”
Many councillors objected to water supply for panchayat area and demanded to connect cut off water supply to find solution for water shortage.
“A DPR was conducted on solid wastage management and after it gets approval from the state government, the plan will be implemented soon,” said engineer Raghavendra.
CMC president Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje also tried her best to maintain decorum during the meeting. Vice-president Sandhya Thilakraj was present.