Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. has directed officials to take all necessary measures to ensure that there is no disruption in drinking water supply across the district during the upcoming summer season. He emphasised proactive planning and close monitoring to prevent any situation of water scarcity in both rural and urban areas.
The Deputy Commissioner was speaking while presiding over a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority held on Thursday at the Deputy Commissioner’s office auditorium. The meeting focused on reviewing comprehensive drinking water management and preparedness measures ahead of summer, when demand for water typically increases.
Advance planning at local body level
The Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to prepare immediate and practical plans at the level of urban local bodies and gram panchayats to ensure uninterrupted supply of drinking water. He said that all available water sources must be identified well in advance and continuously monitored so that water can be supplied promptly wherever required.
He stressed that planning should not be reactive but anticipatory, keeping in mind vulnerable areas that have faced shortages in previous summers. Officials were told to map source availability, storage capacity and distribution challenges to avoid last-minute dependence on emergency measures.
Regular monitoring of sources and networks
Directing officials to take personal responsibility, the Deputy Commissioner said that water sources and distribution networks must be regularly inspected. He instructed that officers should personally monitor the situation across all 14 urban local bodies and gram panchayats in the district.
He underlined that frequent field visits and coordination among departments are essential to identify issues such as leakages, illegal connections and uneven distribution. “Only consistent monitoring can prevent complaints from escalating during peak summer,” he said.
Controlled use of water tankers
The Deputy Commissioner said that water tankers should be used only as a last resort. He instructed local bodies to first explore and utilise existing sources efficiently before resorting to tanker supply, which is both costly and logistically demanding.
He added that urban local bodies and gram panchayats should make use of the funds available with them to ensure drinking water supply during summer. Proper utilisation of allocated funds, he said, would reduce dependence on emergency assistance and ensure timely service delivery.
Focus on Thumbe–Netravathi water supply
Seeking details about the water supply situation within the Mangaluru City Corporation limits, the Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to take strict action against unauthorised water connections in certain areas connected to the Thumbe–Netravathi water supply network.
He directed that agreements be entered into with the respective gram panchayats where water is supplied and that user charges be collected as per rules. This, he said, is necessary to ensure accountability, prevent misuse and maintain the sustainability of the water supply system.
Officials from the Mangaluru City Corporation informed the meeting that a total of seven jackwells belonging to the corporation, various government departments and industries are currently operating at the Thumbe–Netravathi dam.
Water availability outlook reassuring
Officials stated that, as per current estimates, the water available in the Thumbe–Netravathi dam is expected to be sufficient to manage drinking water requirements during the coming summer. However, they noted that continuous monitoring of water levels would be required, especially if there is an extended dry spell.
The Deputy Commissioner said that while the current situation appears reassuring, officials should not be complacent. He instructed departments to prepare contingency plans in case of unexpected shortfalls or technical issues.
Zero tolerance for public complaints
The Deputy Commissioner stressed that urban local bodies and gram panchayats must ensure that no complaints are received from the public regarding drinking water supply. He said that grievances related to drinking water directly affect public health and quality of life and should be treated with utmost priority.
He instructed officials to respond promptly to complaints, resolve issues at the earliest and maintain clear communication with residents. Departments were also told to coordinate with each other to avoid delays caused by administrative hurdles.
Displeasure over lack of preparedness
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner expressed displeasure with officials of the Rural Drinking Water Supply Department for failing to provide proper and complete information. He said that lack of preparedness and inadequate data during review meetings hampers effective decision-making.
He directed the department to be better prepared in future meetings, with updated information on water sources, infrastructure status and potential problem areas.
Senior officials present
Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju K., Deputy Conservator of Forests Anthony Mariappa, Mangaluru Sub-Divisional Officer Meenakshi Arya, and senior officials from various departments, including the city corporation and rural water supply agencies, were present at the meeting.
Emphasis on coordinated action
Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner reiterated that ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply during summer requires coordinated efforts from all departments and local bodies. He said advance planning, strict monitoring and accountability at every level would be key to preventing water scarcity.
Officials were instructed to treat drinking water management as a priority issue in the coming months and to work collectively to ensure that residents across the district do not face hardship during summer.