Mysuru: Even as the groundwater table is sinking in Mysuru city and taluk, there is a grave water crisis staring at the citizens as they will be faced with drinking water shortage and hardly any water for irrigation. These harsh facts came to light at an emergency meeting on the condition of groundwater resource, chaired by Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep at the Court Hall in the DC’s Office here this morning.
The meeting assumes significance as it discussed the alarming situation of groundwater based on a report submitted at the end of 2013 by the Groundwater Directorate of the Department of Mines and Geology.
The report stated that there is only 413.02 Hectare Metre water for the coming year for irrigation and drinking purposes and hence it is considered very critical and all steps must be taken to replenish the groundwater resources, said Randeep.
There were 487 borewells in the City Corporation limits and 50 in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority limits, he said.
The DC added that there were also many illegal connections. Many, who had dug the borewell for domestic purpose, were using it for commercial purpose by illegally supplying water in tankers.
Randeep directed the officials to come out with new rules. Hence, in the future if anyone wants to dig a borewell in city, one has to apply to the Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW) for permission. This application will be forwarded to the Groundwater Directorate who will do the spot inspection. After a No Objection Certificate is issued, then it will go to the Assistant Commissioner where a DC-level Committee will finally give its approval, he said. He asked the officials to compulsorily bring the new plan into force.
Apart from this, in the future all buildings and private houses must have rainwater harvesting (RWH) and compulsorily groundwater recharging units, he said.
The DC directed that steps should be taken on a war footing and all illegal borewell connections seized.
The DC suggested the officials to hold a half-a-day workshop on groundwater resources with officials of Vani Vilas Water Works, MUDA, MCC, Environment Department, Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Directorate to create awareness about the critical situation that Mysuru City and taluk is facing.
Groundwater availability in city, Taluk
The Mysuru City and Taluk has a groundwater availability of 5,473.39 Hectare Metre (HM) out of which the availability for irrigation purpose is 3,553.30 HM and for domestic and industrial purposes it is 1,398.64 HM. The drinking water requirement for the next 25 years is 1,693.12 HM but right now the water table has sunk to 413.02 HM.
However, the situation is not alarming in other taluks in the District. While K.R. Nagar the groundwater availability is 7,991.34 HM, in T. Narasipur it is 13,206.26 HM, Nanjangud 10,938.41 HM, Periyapatna, 7052,77 HM, H.D. Kote 7527.93 HM and Hunsur 6291.62 HM.
The total availability of groundwater availability in whole of Mysuru District is 14,83,300 HM out of which groundwater availability is 8,76,343 HM and Domestic and Industrial usage is 99,215 HM.
Senior Geologist, Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Directorate K.B.R. Chowdhary, VVWW Executive Engineer Anand, Asst. Commissioner Shivegowda, MUDA Executive Engineer N.Raju and others were present.
I am delighted that DC is taking interest in Mysore’s water crisis. MGP has been bringing to the attention of the public the problem of water level going down through the analytical work of geologist Sri. Mahesh (SOM has published several articles and news stories on this topic by him) and activist late Prof Ramalingam. How I wish DC takes up another equally important topic of what has happened to the infrastructure investment done by JUSCO to give 24X7 water supply to some part of Mysuru. It is better to take this before the crisis hits Mysuru.
During my days a Mysorean, a few decades ago, water crisis was unknown in Mysore , when borders of this once beautiful city were compact, where pedestrians were in plenty and cars were relatively small in numbers in the streets of this City. Now, it is totally different and horrendous story, and unlike the commentator above, I do not have any faith in finding a solution, which does not exist looking at the expansion of this City and the massive increase in population The country as a whole will sink eventually by this population explosion. You cannot blame the British rule for this, after 70 years of independence!!