Mounesh Vishwakarma 
Pics: Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (RJP)

Bantwal, Apr 10: River Netravati which supplies water to Mangaluru city flows by Bantwal area. Thumbay vented dam is situated in the Bantwal vicinity. But Bantwal people do not have sufficient water for their needs. This is unbelievable, but true.

The water scarcity problem affects Bantwal as early as February and March. Some 30 out of 47 villages in the taluk have been affected by water shortage this year. The same problem existed in the past two years as well during February and March. The only relief this year is that real summer has started only in April.

Last year the water was supplied to Kolnadu, Kavalapadur, Pajir and Naringana by water tankers from Bantwal town. This year they will make local arrangements, it is learnt. But the problem does not end there. Amtady, Balepuni, Balthila, Chennaithodi, Kadeshpalya, Kariangala, Karopady, Kavalapadur, Kavalamudur, Kedila, Kepu, Kukkipaddi, Kolnadu, Mani, Naringana, Navoor, Peruvai, Pilathabettu, Sajipamuda, Sajipamunnur, Sangabettu, Sarapadi, Thumbay, Uli, Vitla, Vitlamudnuru, Badagabellur, Pajir, Vitla padnuryarru have already experienced water shortages. It is claimed that necessary arrangements have been made to address the issue. Balepuni, Rayi, Naringana, Badagabelluru, Kavalapadur, Panjikallu and Kolnadu have already demanded tanker water.

In 5 places where there is water shortage within the municipal limits, borewells have been dug, and there are demands for more.

What is the reason?

It is very clear that the ground water level has gone down. More borewells in some areas have also contributed to the shortage of water. Non-maintenance of pumps is also one of the reasons. Netravati has good stock of water only during rainy days. Otherwise one does not see much water there. People think water is stocked only in Thumbay to be sent to Mangaluru. But Shamboor dam also stocks water and the water is sent from there to Thumbay when necessary.

Problem only with water, nothing to do with money

The present problem is of scarcity of water, and not that of cash.

The dream project of local politician Ramanath Rai of providing water to every village is taking shape. 5 villages of the total 47 villages are already on the verge of getting a final solution. The total outlay of these project is Rs 125 crore. Foundation has been laid for Sangabettu multi villages water programme worth Rs 22.04 crore. 146 settlements in about 21 villages will get water because of this progarmme. Other multi village projects will also take off very soon. At the same time Rs 52.79 crore worth Bantwal municipality drinking water project has been inaugurated by urban development minister Vinayakumar Sorake. Some permanent solution has been expected from these projects. Hence there is no dearth for capital, but only for will power to work efficiently to make these dreams a reality.

Some politicians have said that there is no water problem at all in the area. Some say this is because of the grama panchayath elections scheduled for May. Every drop of water has a cost. Every drop if not managed well, can turn out to be deadly during election. Every vote is important here as much as a drop of water.

A meeting called by gram panchayat development officers have drafted a plan of Rs 40 lacs relief plan which include digging of 50 bore wells.

People do not know how long they will have to wait for the water problem on the banks of river Netravati to get solved.