×
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

973 borewells go dry in City

Last Updated 27 February 2013, 20:25 IST

Even before the onset of summer, as many as 973 borewells have gone dry in the City.

Painting a grim water scenario in the City this year, BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah on Wednesday told the BBMP Council that in the last two years the BBMP had sunk 1,375 new borewells of which only 1,021 are functioning. Palike also dug 120 wells, of which only three have water.

Siddaiah was replying to the complaints by some corporators about the borewells going dry and severe water crisis in their wards. 

Opposition leader M K Gunashekar said if a solution to the water crisis is not worked out, a reverse migration will start from Bangalore.

Siddaiah remarked: “Borewell is not a solution. We have to find a long term solution. Lakes were recharging groundwater. Due to the tar roads, tiles on the footpaths, cemented walkways, percolation of rain water has reduced to merely 50 per cent.”

Percolation, a solution

He suggested water percolation wells as a solution to overcome water crisis in the City. He also insisted on promoting rain water harvesting (RWA) units. 

“We have to tap the flowing water and harvest rainwater at parks, tech parks, hospitals, schools, government buildings, places of worship and defence land. For these purposes, at least Rs 250 crore should be used.”

As a short term measure, the BBMP and the BWSSB can launch a mini water supply scheme in those areas where the water crisis is severe and Rs 30 lakh can be given to the wards in the newly added areas and Rs nine lakh in the old wards of the City, he said.

This year the civic agency has reserved Rs 35 crore for water.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 27 February 2013, 20:25 IST)

Follow us on

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT