Additional 60 MLD water for city

The ongoing Kabini second stage project set to complete by year end, says MCC Chief Raykar

Participating in World Water Day celebrations organised jointly by Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW), Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board and Jamshedpur Utility and Services Company (JUSCO) Limited., here on Tuesday,  Mysore City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner K S Raykar said that the surplus quantity of water will be adding to the existing 195 MLD water received from the sources. And, it is expected to increase substantially in phases.

However, the existing scenario here is still not as bad as it is in north Karnataka. The ubiquitous carrying of water pots over head has rendered many bald. The commissioner lamented that the people of Mysore are terribly short of tolerance, terming even a half-an-hour delay in supply of water as disruption.

Admitting that there are some problems within the system, especially in handling the mechanism, the commissioner owed it to many reasons. He appealed to those on revenue front to show commitment to their jobs, as arrears are still mounting contributing to the amount that is already overdue totalling several crores of rupees.

Referring to the demand for increment, promotion and many other facilities made by the water works staffer, the commissioner said that he had no reservations about considering it, but made it clear that one has to deliver the goods to earn the goodies.

Moreover, keeping in mind the clear directions of the government to streamline the collection of revenue in the form of water cess, Raykar said if done, it would help in addressing many issues.

The commissioner cited the example of electricity bill of the water works that is increasing from Rs 24 crore in 2008 to Rs 32 crore in 2009 and Rs 34 crore in 2010.

Earlier, Mayor Sandesh Swamy appealed to the gathering to not to waste water, instead recycle it.

A total of 11 VVWW staffer- from valvemen to engineers who had been delivering well, were felicitated on the occasion.

ACICM Convener M Lakshmana, Institution of Engineers, Mysore Chapter, Chairman A S Satish, MCC Superintending Engineer M Mahesh and others were present.

Students go on walkathon for a cause

More than 300 enthusiastic students undertook a walkathon from Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) to the deputy commissioner’s office to improve awareness among people about the importance of water.

The programme  organised by the Department of Environmental Engineering, SJCE was flagged off by the college Principal Dr B G Sangameshwara.

Message

Raising slogans and displaying placards with messages including ‘Do not wait for the clock to tick twice. Be water wise!’ and ‘Water filled life today, live in a desert tomorrow’ among several others, students passed through the University of Mysore, Kukkarahalli Lake and Crawford Hall before reaching the deputy commissioner’s office.

The students later gave a presentation to Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta about the steps to be taken to conserve water.

Recharge

In another programme, Kautilya Vidyalaya organised a special lecture by theatre artist M S Geetha to explain the importance of water conservation and ground water.

Geetha asked the students to save  water and take measures to recharge ground water, failing which water sources such as lakes, canals, wells and rivers would dry up.

Citing examples, Geetha mentioned that the country once had more than 22 lakh borewells, with Bangalore alone having four lakh borewells, but nearly one lakh went defunct, she added.

If the situation continues, then agitation and fights for water would increase, she said. Kautilya Vidyalaya Principal M Savitha was also present on the occasion.