Anticipating drinking water crisis in Bengaluru this summer, the Karnataka government is putting in place a contingency plan to draw water from the dead storage of Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir at an estimated cost of ₹40 crore.
A high-level meeting of irrigation officials discussed the possibility of pumping the dead storage of KRS, if the need arose, to meet Bengaluru’s drinking water needs. The reservoir is the lifeline of Mysuru, Bengaluru and the Mandya region. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) draws water from the KRS for the city.
Speaking to mediapersons, Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil said with the present storage in KRS, the water needs of Bengaluru could be met up to May. However, the authorities anticipated a shortage in peak summer. “Officials are constantly monitoring the availability of water in KRS. They are favouring utilisation of dead storage in case of emergency,” he said. The dead storage is 4.4 tmcft in KRS.
On whether this was advisable, Mr. Patil said: “We are opposed to tapping dead storage. However, considering the situation, it might become inevitable.”
Authorities were also planning to announce water rationing, which would mean restricting the supply of water to once in three days. “Implementation of the Mekedatu project would be the only long-term answer to quench thirst of the growing city in the days to come,” he said.
