Drinking water crisis looms over Mangalore'

Mangalore, November 1:  Karavali Karnataka Janaabhivriddhi Vedike (KKJV) is holding a campaign from Novemeber 2 onwards to create awareness among the people of Mangalore about the problem of drinking water shortage likely to resurface in the city in the coming months.

Addressing media persons in Mangalore on Thursday, Vidya Dinker, Coordinator (Legal), of the KKJV, said that Mangalore had witnessed acute shortage of water this past summer and although as per the National and State Water policies, first priority is to be given to drinking water purposes of the citizens, companies like MRPL had continued to use water resources of the city for their industrial purposes even as people struggled for water.

“With the MSEZ's entry and MRPL's expansion plans and the state government's encouragement to more large industries to be set up in the region, more water would be claimed for industrial purposes and the citizens would be left to suffer”, she said.

Although new pipelines were laid from the funds obtained from ADB loan and a large amount of money was spent on doubling the pumping capacity and doubling the supply capacity, household pipeline connections were not laid and the newly laid pipelines were connected to old household pipeline connections, Ms. Dinker said, pointing out that because of this a lot of water is getting wasted in the form of leakages. From the Nethravati river, which is the drinking water source for Mangalore, 160 to 150 mld of water is being lifted. The actual distribution done to all domestic, commercial, and industrial purposes by MCC is 110 mld, she said, stating that the remaining 40 mld is lost due to leakages and unauthorised withdrawals.

The issue of water scarcity is not being discussed by MCC Corporators at the council meetings, Ms. Dinker said, stating that KKJV has decided to reach out directly to the people with Assembly elections coming close to create awareness among them of the serious issue of water scarcity. “We want to equip people with facts and questions before politicians come to them seeking votes”, she said.

The campaign will kick off in front of Mangalore City Corporation at 10:30 am on Thursday. Street plays will be performed at the venue and at several other venues around the city for the next two days and the final performance would be given at Kadri Park on Sunday evening, Ms. Dinker said.

Pamphlets will also be distributed on the occasion and interaction sessions with the people would also be held, she informed.