Accusing some of politicising the water crisis in Bengaluru to criticise the government, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on March 11 said that Karnataka was facing the worst drought conditions in the last 30 to 40 years.
“There is no shortage of water in areas serviced by Cauvery water. Those areas dependent on borewells have been facing crisis as borewells have dried up. The government has taken adequate steps to mitigate the problem,” he told presspersons here on Monday. Of the 13,900 borewells in Bengaluru, 6,900 borewells have dried up creating water shortage, he said, adding that water is being supplied through tankers in affected areas.
Claiming that the Congress government has stopped the water mafia, he said that it has been ensured that water is being supplied to people at reasonable rates while in slums water is being given free of cost.
“Separate rates have been fixed for water supply to apartments and industries. Already about 1,500 private water tankers have registered with the government and time has been extended for others to register. The police, BBMP and RTO officials have been asked to put a government board on registered tankers. These measures have helped in preventing tanker owners from fleecing people,” said Mr. Shivakumar, who is also the Water Resources Minister.
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Mr. Shivakumar added, “The government has decided to redrill dry borewells and sink more borewells besides seeking an agreement with farmers of Anekal and other villages south of Bengaluru to supply water. The Cauvery Stage V meant to supply water to 110 villages will be completed by May.” He also said that the solution to the water crisis is contruction of Mekedatu balancing reservoir.
Releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu
Meanwhile, on claims by the BJP that the State government had released water to Tamil Nadu despite severe water crisis in Karnataka, Mr. Shivakumar said the allegations were far from the truth. “We have not released water to Tamil Nadu and we will not release (too). We have responsibility with respect to water management. We have protected the interest of farmers in Cauvery basin and will continue to do so.” When Tamil Nadu is not asking for water, why should Karnataka leave (water), he asked.
The water from KRS has been released to secure drinking water needs of Bengaluru as water level in Shiva reservoir had receded.
