Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (HB/KK)
Udupi, Apr 9: Muddu Mohan, the DC of Udupi on April 8 said that the water in the Baje dam at Anjaru is enough only for one month because of the evaporation caused due to the high temperatures.
Addressing a press meet here in the city, Muddu Mohan discussed the water problems and the other concerns of the villages. He then said that at present the water level is 1.6 million litres while in total there is only about 2.3 million litres in the Baje dam.
He also added that the stored water will be enough just for a month, due to the dead capacity and rising heat.
“At present we are supplying water to the agricultural lands once in eight days. But from now on the water can be useful for drinking, but this will lead to the lack of supply of water to the agricultural lands,” he said.
When questioned about the municipal water being used for plantations by the public, he replied that if such a case occurred, strict action will be taken against the persons.
He said, “Reports say that, compared to last year, at present the water level is less. The Shiroor dam has stopped its water supply since March 27 and is turning into a dry land.”
He also told the media that while consumption level increases automatically the pressure goes down.
The media were of the opinion that the municipality gives more weightage to Manipal than Udupi, but Muddu Mohan smoothly answered saying, “There is no such agreement; we are providing water based on their necessities with regard to the population, hospitals and students in colleges.”
“Moreover they do not have any alternate sources,” he stressed.
He added, “Rs 2.5 crores have been released under the hydro-fracturing water project; 195 work projects are scheduled of which 95 are currently in progress.
He was also questioned about any proposal for additional storage of water and he answered saying that it all depended on rains; otherwise they would have to find an alternate way.
“The concerned authorities are undertaking the water supply facilitation through tankers, 16 villages too are benefiting from this and grants of Rs 50 lakhs and 33 lakhs have been released for Udupi, Saligrama and Karkala respectively,” he added.
He said, “The dredging work will begin after May 25, because as of now only 2.5 MLD (Millions of Liters per Day) of water is being supplied to Manipal.”
He concluded the press meet with the controversial statement, “If the rains are good, we will go forward and solve the water supply problem.”
Shashidar Hedge, CMC President Shrikanth Rao, Rohini and others were present.