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.
This post was published on February 2, 2018 6:59 pm