On March 18, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at boosting groundwater levels in Bengaluru by replenishing major lakes with treated water. Addressing the media, he underscored the significance of refilling 14 critical lakes, including the pivotal KC Valley, to revitalize bore wells and alleviate the pressing water shortage.
At the heart of this initiative lies the KC Valley project, which prioritizes diverting treated sewage from Bengaluru to replenish lakes in drought-prone regions such as Kolar and Chikkaballapur. Notably, the first phase of the project has successfully refilled 143 lakes in Kolar at a cost of Rs 1,342 crore, with plans underway for the second phase covering 276 lakes, estimated at Rs 455 crore.
Assuring the populace of sufficient water availability until June, the CM highlighted the substantial storage capacities of reservoirs like Cauvery and Kabini, boasting 11.02 TMC and 9.02 TMC, respectively. However, Siddaramaiah acknowledged a shortfall of 500 MLD in meeting Bengaluru’s daily water requirement of 2,600 MLD for drinking and industrial purposes, necessitating the exploration of alternative sources such as bore wells and private tankers.
To address this deficit, the CM directed the utilization of private tankers, including those operated by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), especially in underserved areas like slums and bore well-dependent regions. Stressing the importance of vigilant water management, he urged citizens to promptly report any supply issues through designated helpline numbers.
Furthermore, Siddaramaiah stressed the imperative of conserving drinking water resources, advocating for the utilization of treated water in parks and implementing measures to curb wastage through rainwater harvesting and reuse. He announced the formation of task forces to monitor water consumption patterns and instructed officials to craft weekly action plans, supported by daily meetings.
In a proactive move to tackle future water scarcity, the CM disclosed plans to establish an expert committee. He concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to allocate sufficient funds for water supply initiatives and urged officials to expedite the resolution of complaints to effectively address water-related challenges.
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