Mysuru: Thousands of families living within a 10-km radius of Mysuru city are facing a worsening water crisis, with borewells running dry and residents increasingly dependent on private tankers for drinking water.
Residents struggle for drinking water
The crisis is particularly severe in several layouts on the city outskirts, where residents say adequate supplies from the Cauvery and Kabini rivers have not been ensured.
Shyamala, a homemaker from Halli Bogadi, said groundwater levels had fallen amid the drought, leaving borewells dry in many areas. She alleged that tanker operators were charging exorbitant rates as demand increased.
Residents also blamed the prolonged delay in implementing the Rs 595-crore Hale Unduwadi project for the situation.
Kabini supply remains suspended
Jayant J, president of Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti, Srirampura, said Kabini water supply to around 22 layouts had remained suspended for nearly two months.
He said residents in several layouts were now dependent on borewells, while those where borewells had failed were forced to purchase tanker water at around Rs 750 per load.
Jayant also pointed out that newly constructed overhead water tanks remained unused, leaving residents seeking clarity from officials over the disruption.
Tanker dependence grows in East Mysuru
The situation is reportedly similar in East Mysuru. AM Babu, president of the Manasi Nagara Residents’ Association and East Mysuru Layout Residents’ Federation, said residents were now heavily dependent on tanker supplies costing between Rs 600 and Rs 800 per load.
Residents said they had been seeking a reliable supply of potable water for a long time, but a lasting solution remained elusive.