JOIN USThe State government has directed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to take immediate action against illegal water connections in Bangalore, Irrigation Minister M B Patil said here on Friday.
The order is part of the government’s plans to deal with the water crisis which is worsening by the day. “The Chief Minister has given strict instructions to the BWSSB to firmly deal with illegal water connections,” Patil told reporters during a visit to the KRS dam near here.
The BWSSB has been directed to ensure controlled supply of water for industrial and commercial purposes. “The government will seek the cooperation of industries and commercial establishments in this regard. But if they fail to cooperate, we will have to take some hard steps,” Patil warned. “Our priority is to supply drinking water. We will see it to that water-starved districts like Kolar are not neglected.”
Patil said Mysore, Mandya and Bangalore districts need not worry until June. “We expect good rainfall. But if rains fail, the government will put in place a contingency plan. Cities will get water supply till June, for sure. We will make best use of the available water,” he explained.
He also said that works to modernise various canals of the KRS would be expedited.
Besides, works on four of the five packages worth Rs 350 crore would be completed by July. Patil said that he met the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday and requested him to release at least two TMC of drinking water for the inhabitants of the Krishna basin.