With the water-level in the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs plummeting, the government has decided to utilise water from dead storage-level in both reservoirs to ensure supply of drinking water to Bangalore and Mysore cities till the end of this year’s summer (May-end).
Minister for Water Resources Basavaraj Bommai, Minister for Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) S. Suresh Kumar and Minister for Agriculture Umesh V. Katti on Tuesday held a high-level meeting with top officials of both departments and made the above decision to tackle the drinking water crisis in both cities.
The BWSSB draws water from the KRS (Krishnaraja Sagar) and Kabini reservoirs for the city.
Mr. Bommai, who briefed presspersons, said water storage in the KRS and Kabini reservoirs was 18.309 tmcft. While the live storage was 10.05 tmcft, the remaining was dead storage (8.2tmcft). However, he ruled out the rationing of water to both cities.
The storage level has drastically reduced in the KRS following release of water to Tamil Nadu. While the maximum capacity of the dam is 124.8 ft, storage has reduced to 80 ft. With summer expected to be severe this year, the water-level is expected to dip further.
A high-level committee, comprising of Mr. Bommai and Mr. Kumar, will constantly monitor availability of water in both reservoirs. A total of 1.5 tmcft of water is required a month to ensure adequate supply of water to Bangalore city. This adds up to 7.5 tmcft of water requirement for Bangalore during January-May.
‘Don’t panic’
Existing machines would be upgraded to lift water from dead storage-level in the two reservoirs to tackle the crisis in Bangalore.
However, to a question, he allayed fears of a severe water scarcity. “There is sufficient water to meet drinking requirements for coming summer. There is no need to panic.”
The meeting, also attended by engineers of the KRS and the BWSSB, has constituted a coordination committee headed by Water Resources Department Principal Secretary to monitor drinking water requirements in Bangalore on a daily basis. The panel will submit reports once a week to the high-level committee. BWSSB officials will check pilferage of water on a daily basis and monitor consumption patterns, Mr. Bommai said.
