Udupi (The Hindu): Minister of State for Fisheries, Youth Services and Sports Pramod Madhwaraj said on Friday there was no alternative to more water rationing in Udupi city owing to the declining water level in the Baje dam on the Swarna. Chairing a meeting of municipal councillors and officers at the Udupi City Municipal Council Hall here, Mr. Madhwaraj said that 35 nodal officers have been appointed by the CMC to monitor the supply of water through water tankers in parched areas of the city.

The municipal councillors should work in coordination with these nodal officers. It was up to the councillors to explain to the people the need for water rationing, he said.

Earlier, K. Ganesh, CMC Engineer, said the water flow in the Swarna had stopped a few weeks back.

The water was now being pumped from a few holes in the Swarna bed from Shiroor to Mane bridge and from there to Bhandarybettu. Water from Bhandarybettu was being pumped to the Baje dam.

The water might last for about 15 to 20 days depending on evaporation of water. Hence, pumping of water would have to be reduced in the future. This would ensure that water was available till June 5, he said.

K. Raghavendra, Environment Engineer, CMC, said though the city required 22 million litres of water per day (MLD). Presently, the 35 wards of the city have been divided into two parts. 10 MLD of water was being supplied to these two parts on alternate days. It was not possible to depend on tankers alone to meet the water requirements of the city, he said. Intervening, Mr. Madhwaraj directed the officers to ensure that water was supplied through tankers from wells (with perennial water) only after its quality was tested in a lab.

The CMC wards should be divided into A, B, C, categories in which A – meant acute water problem wards, B – water problem manageable wards, and C – no tanker wards. More importance should be given to supply water through tankers to A and B category wards, he said.