DK Shivakumar. Bharatiya Janata Party slams ‘irresponsible’

Bangalore:

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said there was “no water crisis” in Bengaluru, even as he flagged off hoarding-laden autorickshaws to raise awareness ahead of what is expected to be a very hot summer. awareness of water conservation.

Bengaluru has been battling dire water shortages for the past few weeks.

The city has a population of about 130 million and the daily demand is 2,600 to 2,800 MLD, or million liters. But the current gap exceeds 1,500 MLD. It is not only the state capital; Nearly 240 taluks have been declared “drought”.

Mr Shivakumar’s government said it was working to address shortages and ensure fair and affordable services for all, but he insisted today that the problem was not that serious now.

“As far as Bengaluru is concerned, there is no water crisis. Around 7,000 wells have dried up but we have made all arrangements. We have taken over tankers. We have identified the water sources… We will see water being supplied,” he Tell reporters.

However, Mr Shivakumar’s statement did not go down well with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

The party’s state unit chief BY Vijayendra lashed out at the ruling Congress party.

“As a deputy chief minister, a responsible minister, doesn’t he have the responsibility to solve the water problem of the entire state? This is a completely unfortunate attitude…” he said.

Meanwhile, New Delhi TV spoke to several students from the city who seemed to disagree, noting that even if there is no “crisis” today, there will be one during the summer rush.

A student from Banaswadi area of ​​Bengaluru said people there were facing a serious problem for the past one week. “We depend on water tankers, which are expensive… each water tanker costs Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000. This is completely unaffordable for an ordinary family,” he said.

Another said that while there might not be a “massive crisis” today, “… the government should intervene because next month will be hotter and water demand will increase.”

He also sent a pointed message to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, who, predictably, blamed the game. “Politics should be divorced from water supply. When there is a water crisis, politicians should work together instead of criticizing,” he said.

All of this comes just days after the city announced fines for misuse or waste of drinking water. Residents are warned not to use potable water for vehicle cleaning, construction activities or at movie theaters and shopping malls unless used for drinking.

Read | Stop misuse of drinking water in Bengaluru or pay Rs 5,000

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board said first-time offenders will be fined Rs 5,000 and repeat offenders will be fined an additional Rs 500 each time.

Bengaluru residents, who now spend their days worrying about running out of water in their homes and arranging for the next water tanker, welcomed the fine but stressed that the final problem remained the lack of water supply.

“I think these fines are necessary… because people are still wasting water. But, ultimately we need water. If there is water, then fines can be issued. If there is no water, then what? Is there usage fine?” Sibi, a resident of Babusapalya, Bengaluru Verghese told New Delhi TV.

Read | ‘Don’t work from home, go home’: Bengaluru’s water crisis

Meanwhile, Bengaluru, India’s “Silicon Valley,” has also launched mobile apps to help deal with the crisis. These are Jala Mitra (for citizens, retired technicians and NGOs willing to voluntarily participate in water leakage, investigation and conservation measures) and Parisara Jalasnehi (to retain the supply of recycled water for treatment purposes other than drinking).

Then there’s Antharajala, which allows citizens to apply for permission to dig wells, and Samrakshaka, where those who waste drinking water can alert the authorities.

It’s not just homes that are affected.

The crisis has also affected hospitals. Brookfield Hospital near Whitefield, one of the city’s most posh neighborhoods and one of the hardest-hit areas, relies on water tankers and requires 24,000 liters of water every three days; that doesn’t include dialysis patients 5,000 liters of water required per day.

“We are recycling the water and using it along with normal water for washing and cleaning,” hospital medical officer Dr. Pradeep Kumar told New Delhi TV.

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