Pics: Aditya Aithal

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Apr 21: Udupi CMC is expected to remain free from water scarcity this summer, with sufficient water levels in the Swarna River Baje Dam and the additional supply from the Varahi River. The city municipal council has assured uninterrupted water supply to all 32 wards and adjoining gram panchayats.

As of April second week, the Baje Dam holds 5.1 meters of water, an increase from 4.8 meters during the same time last year. The dam has a total storage capacity of 6.5 meters. Notably, even last year, when the water levels were lower, Udupi did not face any water shortages, further reinforcing confidence in this year’s supply.

Earlier, the city relied entirely on the Baje Dam with 24-hour water pumping. However, following the integration of the Varahi River into the city's water system, the current water pumping has been optimized to 20 hours daily, supplying 25 MLD from Varahi and 26 MLD from Baje Dam, totaling 51 MLD.

Water from Varahi is treated at the GLSR before being distributed to seven newly constructed overhead tanks. The tanks with capacity of 16 lacs liters in Santhekatte, 10 lacs liters in Kakkunje, 9.9 lacs liters in Indrali, 7.5 lacs liters ners Ammanni Ramanna Auditorium, 12.5 lacs liters in Manchi, 16 lacs liters in Ananthanagar, 7.50 lacs liters in Manipal GLSR is constructed.

Though the city currently does not receive 24x7 water supplies from the Varahi River due to technical issues, the Udupi City Municipal Council is working to ensure round-the-clock supply after May 15. Plans are also underway to create two water supply zones, especially targeting uninterrupted supply in the Manipal region. Trial runs have begun, and the water purification unit in Manipal has already been serviced.

Prabhakar Poojary, President Udupi City Municipal Council, said to Daijiworld.com, “At present, we are pumping 26 MLD of water from the Swarna River at Baje Dam and 25 MLD from the Varahi River, ensuring a total supply of 51 MLD to Udupi city. There is no shortage of water, and we are even able to supply neighboring panchayats. Previously, we had to ration water, but now we’ve extended supply hours. The overhead tank linked to the Varahi project is still pending completion as per the agreement, which specifies a height of 25 meters. All 32 wards are receiving sufficient water, and once the Varahi supply is fully operational, we will extend it to 13 gram panchayats. The water quality is good, and residents are cooperating by paying bills regularly. Eventually, the entire water supply system, from pumping and chlorination to billing, will be managed by the Varahi project team, while we will handle the payments to them.”