Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday promised that the government would ensure adequate water supply to Bengaluru at any cost.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, DK Shivakumar said all areas in Bengaluru are facing a water crisis and even the borewell at his home has dried up.
"We are facing a dire water crisis, but will ensure water supply to the city at any cost," the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Bengaluru is facing a severe water crisis as borewells have dried up due to a lack of rain. Residential societies have advised residents to be careful with their daily water usage.
Amid the crisis, several private water tankers are charging residents exorbitantly for delivering water. On this, Shivakumar said, "Some of the tankers are supplying water for RS 600 while some others are charging up to Rs 3,000. In order to standardise the pricing, we have asked all the water tankers to register with the authorities. Prices will be fixed based on the distance travelled by the tankers."
The Deputy Chief Minister also hit out at the Centre, accusing it of stalling the Mekedatu reservoir project which could solve the water woes in Bengaluru.
"We had initiated the Mekedatu project with the very intention of securing water supply for Bengaluru. In spite of us putting pressure on the Centre to approve the Mekedatu project with our padyatra, the Centre has not approved it. The Centre should at least approve the project at least now given the severity of the crisis," he said.
"The Chief Minister, Revenue minister, RDPR minister, along with other ministers, discussed the drought issue. We have instructed the officials to use water sources within the 15 km periphery of cities to supply water to urban areas. Similarly, it was decided to fetch water to Bengaluru City from Ramanagara, Hosakote, Channapatna, Magadi and other towns using water tankers," he added.
