At a time when water is a precious commodity, thanks to the soaring temperatures, gallons of water is being wasted daily atop Chamundi Hill. Some of the devotees are using drinking water to take bath before entering the temple premises.

Following reports in a section of media that there is no drinking water facility atop the Hill, Star of Mysore did a reality check yesterday only to find this sheer wastage. Surprisingly, there was no one to prevent water being wasted.

On an average more than 50 lakh people visit the Chamundi Hill every year and there are a couple of drinking water projects (both private and public) atop the Hill. Among the government-owned are the facility provided under MP grants and the facility near the Nirmala Saulabhya constructed and maintained by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Though water is available in the facility built under MP grants, the drinking water facility near Nirmala Saulabhya has been locked. When asked about this, CII Mysuru Head V. Mouli told Star of Mysore that the facility has been shut for want of water. “For the toilet unit, we get water through tankers and we ensure that the water is recycled and used. The District Administration has assured us that drinking water needs will be fulfilled through the new project that will be implemented by June this year,” he said.

On its part, the District Administration has asked for more funds from the government to fulfil drinking water requirements at Chamundi Hill. In a letter addressed to S.P. Shadaksharaswamy, Commissioner, Department of Religious Endowment, Bengaluru, Mysuru Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep has asked administrative approval to take up drinking water projects.

The letter, dated 4.3.2017, stated that the 40-year-old pipeline and water storage capacity must be upgraded to cater to the needs of the growing number of devotees. As of now, approximately 25 lakh litres of water is being used every month at the temple, Dasoha Bhavan, drinking water and toilet facilities. This is not enough, the letter stated.

At a progress review meeting of Chamundi Hill development held on Feb. 9, 2017, the Rs. 6.95 crore grant for Chamundi Hill drinking water requirements that was estimated by Karna- taka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board was discussed and the participating officers felt that there was an urgent need to upgrade the existing drinking water facilities, the letter stated.

For the upgradation, Rs. 2.78 crore (40 percent) can be utilised from Chamundi Temple Fund as 40 percent of total water is used at the temple area and Rs. 4.17 crore (60 percent) can be obtained from Mysuru Zilla Panchayat as it uses 60 percent of the water, the DC has stated in the letter and has sought government approval for the release of Rs. 2.78 crore from Chamundi Temple Fund.

Speaking to this newspaper, K.N. Prasad, Chief Executive Officer, Chamundi Temple said that steps will be taken to ensure regular supply of water to the drinking water kiosks that have been donated by philanthropists and those that have been established by the government.