Govt looks at Sharavathi once again to quench city’s thirst
The current supply of potable water from Cauvery at KRS dam does not meet the needs
Regarded as an unfeasible project initially, the state government is now seriously mulling over tapping Sharavathi River, located 400 km from Bengaluru, to quench the city’s thirst.
Even as the much-awaited Mekedatu project is embroiled in various controversies, sources in the state government revealed that fetching water from Sharavathi as suggested by experts could be a better solution as the move would mean ‘tapping undisputed waters’ without having to lock horns with neighbouring states.
Currently, Bengaluru is supplied with potable water from Cauvery River at Krishnaraja Sagar dam in Mandya.
Yet, the IT capital is reeling under severe shortage of potable water particularly during the summer months. With the rising demand in adjoining districts like Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur, Kolar and Tumakuru putting increasing pressure on drinking water supply every passing day, the government seems to have realised that Cauvery alone cannot quench the city’s thirst and is now considering Sharavathi as a potential alternative.
Acknowledging the decision at the government level, major irrigation minister MB Patil told media persons in Vidhana Soudha on Monday that the state government is seriously considering the project. “During most of the years, dams across Sharavathi have been filled to the brim.
“Unlike Cauvery, the Sharavathi has undisputed water as it originates in Karnataka and joins the sea within the state's coastline. Experts’ committee headed by former BWSSB engineer Thyagaraja has reported that we will get 10 TMC of water, that too after generating power.
“Further, it is not just Bengaluru but also districts like Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Bengaluru Rural that will benefit. The government is seriously considering this project,” Patil said.
ANY LEGAL HURDLES?
According to the sources, unlike the Mekedatu project, there will not be any interstate dispute. But the state government needs to obtain certain clearances from the Centre.
“The issue does not come directly under me as CM headed committee is looking into it,” Patil said. “Although there will not be any interstate disputes, we may have to clear past environment- and forest-related permissions. But the government will soon appoint an experts’ committee as assured by the chief minister to look into this proposal.”
Chief minister Siddaramaiah too promised had promised the farmers last week that an experts’ committee would soon be formed to verify the findings of the report and identify alternative sources of water to Bengaluru and its neighbouring districts.
WHAT’S IN THE PROPOSAL?
The committee proposed fetching water from Linganamakki dam to Bengaluru’s Thippagondanahalli Reservoir, the catchment of river Arkavathi.
The experts had conducted studies on scientific quality of water for potable purposes.
As per the report, water from Sharavathi reservoir would first be pumped to Yagachi Dam located 130 km in Hassan district through a pipeline; and further it will flow to TG Halli on gravitation as the terrain slopes downwards. The Bangalore Water Supply & sewerage Board (BWSSB) already has a dedicated pipeline network from TG Halli to Bengaluru.
The experts opined that pumping activity would be far less compared to the Cauvery water currently.
The Linganamakki has capacity of about 150 TMC and a majority of which is used for power generation.
