Borewells of no use in Madikeri

Madikeri town, on the one hand, is facing an acute water crisis while on the other hand, the borewells that were sunk last year have become defunct.

The groundwater table in Madikeri has declined drastically. Water is not supplied to the residents daily.

Due to the negligence of CMC officials, pipelines have not been laid for the newly sunk borewells.

Not put to use

In spite of sinking new borewells at Rajeshwari Nagara, Chamundeshwari Nagara, Bhagavathi Nagara, Dairy Farm, and Hosa Badavane, the borewells have not been put to use.

The residents say that the CMC had not shown any interest in laying pipelines and installing pumps to lift the water. A few borewells are already rusted. In other places, the borewells are buried under weeds.

Nagara Hitharakshana Vedike president Ravi Gowda alleged that in spite of the release of enough grants for drinking water supply, the CMC is engaged in only sinking borewells without any use.

Measures have also not been taken to close down the borewells that have become defunct in Madikeri. According to statistics, Madikeri town has 60 borewells, of which 52 are functioning.

Some borewells at Indira Nagara and Chamundeshwari Nagara were buried, following massive landslides that hit Madikeri last August.

CMC Water Supply Division engineer Nagaraj said, “Two borewells at Kannandabane, one each at Drishti Ganapathi Road, Hill Road, Ganapathi Beedi, Karnangeri Rajarajeshwari Temple and Sampige Katte need to be repaired.”

He added, “Five borewells were sunk by the CMC last year. The CESC has provided electricity connections to two borewells only. The CMC has already written a letter to the CESC in this regard.”

Drastic decline

Meanwhile, the water-level at Pampinakere, Kannanda Bane and Roshanara, that supplies water to Madikeri town has declined drastically.

Nagara Hitharakshana Vedike president Ravi Gowda has demanded a probe into misuse of funds in the name of sinking borewells.

A donor had donated a well near Dairy Farm in Madikeri 20 years ago. However, the CMC has not shown interest in its maintenance.

Now, the pumpset and pipelines laid at the well have been stolen by thieves.