Water shortage stalls operations at MySugar

While acute water shortage has forced MySugar Factory management to postpone crushing of sugarcane, Pandavapura Sahakara Sakkare Karkhane’s (PSSK) announcement of Rs 2,500 per tonne of sugarcane has rubbed salt on the wounds of cane growers.

It may be recalled that Sugar Minister and MySugar Chairman H S Mahadev Prasad had announced that crushing will begin at MySugar from July 28. The unit requires approximately 10 lakh litres of water daily for operation. But, as there is not a single drop of water available, the date to begin operation is hanging in balance.

Water is supplied to the factory from Konanahalli lake. The lake gets filled only if water is released into the canals from KRS dam. District in-charge Minister Ambarish had recently announced that water would be released into canals from July 28.

However, water to the canals can be released only if the tunnel works at Huilkere is completed. MP C S Puttaraju, who visited the spot about 10 days ago had instructed the officials to finish the works by July 31. But, with the works progressing at a snail’s pace, there are no signs of completing it on time. Water takes about 12 days to reach Konanahalli lake, from KRS dam.

If the factory gets water in the first week of August, it has to be run on a trial basis for four days before the factory begins its operation.

In-charge Managing Director Shankar said, the factory needs Rs 10 lakh litres of water every day. Only after water is supplied, tube cleaning and other works will be taken up.

Mysugar Factory Sugarcane Contractors Association president Shambunahalli Krishna said, the factory should be started immediately. He demanded Rs 1,000 in advance and the remaining amount within 14 days of supplying cane.

Farmer associations have been seeking Rs 3,000 per tonne since last year. With PSSK announcing Rs 2,500 per tonne, he fears that the other factories in the State would follow suit. However, PSSK chairman K S Nanjundegowda said, the farmers would be paid Rs 2,500 and later would be compensate with the price announced by the government.