Priyanka Mary Francis, Deputy Commissioner, said on Friday that the proposal to remove silt from the Baje Dam across the Swarna, that supplies drinking water to Udupi city and surrounding areas, had been given up as it was found to be not feasible.
Ms. Francis told reporters that a study by a Mumbai-based institute had found that the exercise would cost ₹2.5 crore and would result in extending the retaining capacity by just five days.
She said tankers weren’t supplying water to either urban or local bodies.
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The gram panchayats have been told to use funds to rejuvenate existing water sources instead of going for new sources.
There are adequate funds and Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa had sought fresh proposals in case additional funds were needed.
There have been reports of scarcity from some areas of the coastal belt including Yedthare, Byndoor, Aroor and Katapady, mainly arising out of saline water entering the rivulets.
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