City corporation urges State not to release Cauvery water

Water level is only 110 ft as against max of 124.80 ft

The water level in the Krishanaraja Sagar Dam is quite low and hence it should not be released to Tamil Nadu. This was the unanimous decision taken by the Mysore City Corporation at the Council meeting held here on Friday.

JD(S) member Sandesh Swamy proposed this stand at the meeting. Later, the Mayor M C Rajeshwari addressing the meeting said in the light of the drought situation, the water level at KRS is very low. This water should be supplied to the people of Mysore, Mandya and Bangalore till next June.

Cauvery water is also needed for agriculture purpose. Hence, a decision has been taken on behalf of the citizens of Mysore to appeal to the State government, not to allow water to Tamil Nadu, she announced.

As the council meeting began Sandesh Swamy said, before taking up the listed items on the agenda, the council has to take up the Cauvery issue. The water that is stored till now is just 110 ft and it has not reached its maximum level of 124.8 feet due to shortage of rains. If we release the water now, then the people and farmers will be put to a lot of distress.

The farmers of neighbouring Mandya district are fighting to save the lifeline of the State, the Cauvery water. But the people of Mysore and Bangalore are silent. Hence, we are taking a decision on their behalf, said Swamy.

The opposition leader in the council M V Ramprasad joining hands with Swamy said every day the drinking water requirement for Mysore is three cusecs. If the water level goes down to 67 feet in KRS, then there will be a severe water crisis.

As a result the decision of the Centre asking the State government to release water should be condemned and the government’s voice must be JD(S) member K V Mallesh said, the distribution of Cauvery river water is unscientific and everyone should criticise the stand of the Centre, he demanded, to which the Congress members also joined hands.

Deputy mayor Mahadevappa and MCC commissioner M R Ravi were present.