Harshini Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, May 9: “We had done an auditing on use and wastage of water in the district a few years ago. Water scam came to light then. Young people can make up their mind for such auditing even now. I have a required plan for it. I am prepared to provide guidance,” said president of human rights protection foundation, Ravindranath Shanbhog.
He was speaking to news reporters in a discussion of water problem and its satisfactory management in Udupi press club on May 8. “There is no connection between water problem and emergency but officials are looking for excuses,” he said.
He further said, “If youth organizations and Yuvaka Mandalas come forward and join hands with us to prevent wastage of water, water scams and illegal activities, we can complete water auditing.
“There are no drainage facilities in more than 100 residential and commercial complexes in the district. Waste water directly joins wells. It is dangerous; More than 350 bore wells dug in those areas are closed due to contaminated water.
Though wells were dug in Gundibail, Nittur, Diana, Bannanje, Nidamboor and other places, people still depend on pipe water due to contamination. Waste water flows on the road in the absence of drainage in Badagupete near Krishna math. There is no underground drainage in Kalmady. People in Adi Udupi, Kalmady, Nittur and Perampalli are facing hardship. Water is not suitable for drinking in the absence of drainage facilities.
“The municipal council should have recycled waste water. But there is nobody who responds to our letter. There is provision to go to the court opposing unscientific drainage system. Everything is ready for public litigation. I seek public support.
“Rs 35 crores and Rs 100 crores were set aside for KUDCEMP drainage and ADB project a few years ago. But those matters are neglected as the time passed by.
“The groundwater level is decreasing day by day. Water meters are being installed in big cities like Chennai to monitor water usage in each and every flat in buildings. If the practice is followed here, there can be awareness among people.
“People also do not question use of water. Up to three pipelines are connected illegally in some flats.
“Though there are six lakes in Udupi, only Swarna for Baje dam and Shirur water is being used in the district. If instead of that Baje dam is constructed at a gap of five kilometers each, wastage of water can be prevented and water level can be maintained. There is no definite information of water sources in Udupi. Though bore wells are being dug everywhere, the deputy commissioner should clarify if those are scientific.
“If the drainage facilities are made effective about 20% water problems can be solved. Closing water sources and constructing building on it is another dangerous development.
“Crores are spent on Varahi project already. After incomplete work, inadequate water is being supplied. Instead of that, constructing Kindi dams to the existing rivers is better.
“Though there are more than ten thousand Kindi dams in the district, those are not being maintained,” he said. Another resource person Muraleedhar Upadyay said that a desalination plant should be constructed in Udupi. “It has become a success in Tamil Nadu,” he said.