Amidst a severe water shortage gripping Bengaluru, the Karnataka state government is placing its faith in the upcoming Cauvery Five project, slated to commence in June, as a potential solution to the city’s water challenges. This project aims to cater to the water needs of 110 villages that were integrated into the Metropolitan Bengaluru Municipal Corporation in 2006-07.
Addressing Bengaluru’s Water Deficit
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted Bengaluru’s current water deficit, estimated at around 500 million litres per day (MLD), against a demand of 2,600 MLDs. Of this demand, 1,470 MLD is sourced from the Cauvery river, with an additional 650 MLD extracted from borewells. The chief minister emphasized the critical situation, noting that out of the city’s 14,000 borewells, 6,900 have already dried up.
Overview of the Cauvery Five Project
In response to Bengaluru’s escalating water needs, the Cauvery Five project is underway. This project involves supplying water to 110 villages spanning 225 sq. km., alongside the construction of a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) with a capacity of 775 MLD. Scheduled for completion by 2024, the project aims to provide 110 liters of water daily to approximately 12 lakh people. The estimated cost of the project stands at Rs 5,500 crore, with funding secured from the Japan Infrastructure Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Additional Measures by the Karnataka Government
In addition to the Cauvery Five project, the government has outlined several initiatives to mitigate Bengaluru’s water scarcity. These include drilling borewells at 313 locations, revitalizing 1,200 inactive borewells, and leveraging private tankers, including those from the Karnataka Milk Federation, to supply water to vulnerable areas. Furthermore, plans are underway to replenish dried-up lakes with treated water and to establish task forces to address water-related complaints promptly. Measures have also been introduced to prohibit the use of drinking water in parks.
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