The Hindu : Karnataka News : Water scarcity in 321 villages in Bangalore Urban

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 11, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Water scarcity in 321 villages in Bangalore Urban

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, OCT. 10. Contrary to the popular belief that the people living around Bangalore and on its outskirts have no serious civic problems, thanks to their proximity to the capital, as compared to those in the rest of the State, 321 villages of the 660 in Bangalore Urban district are facing a serious drinking water problem.

According to a status paper discussed at the recent meeting of assistant commissioners and tahsildars, attended by the Deputy Commissioner, Sadiq, and the Chief Executive Officer, D. Mallu, and chaired by the district secretary R. Suresh, the problem is acute in 116 villages. There are 1,200 villages, including 540 hamlets, in the district.

Mr. Sadiq said that action had been taken to solve the problem by digging borewells and by re-drilling the existing ones.

He said that Rs. 657.43 lakhs was required to solve the problem.

Rain losses

The district had a heavy rainfall from January to September 21, but the south taluk had insufficient rain during June. Seven persons were killed in Shivapura colony of Nekatharanahalli of Bangalore North taluk and a compensation of Rs. 30 lakhs had been paid to the next of kin of the deceased. A sum of Rs.36,500 had been paid as compensation to those who lost their houses in the floods. In 22 cases, compensation had been paid to the affected villagers in Anekal taluk.

More than 100 houses had been damaged in Kengeri and 300 km of road was partially destroyed in the district causing a loss of Rs. 555 lakhs.

Mr. Suresh, who is also Principal Secretary, Department of Janaspandana (Public Grievance), said that immediate attention was needed to take up filling up or asphalting the roads.

Ten tanks had breached, involving a loss of Rs.13.50 lakh. In Varthur taluk, standing crops in 15 acres and houses of 21 villagers had been damaged.

Farm operations

Agricultural operations had started in the areas which witnessed good rains. All the crops were in good condition and no diseases had been noticed. Fertilizers and pesticides and seeds were available sufficiently. He said that 1,486 quintals of seeds had been distributed with a subsidy of Rs.10.49 lakhs. Arrangements had been made for insuring crops in 24 hoblis — ragi in 14 hoblis and paddy in 10 hoblis — the report said.

The Deputy Commissioner said that a proposal had been submitted to the State Government to utilise 16,224 tonnes of foodgrains.

He said that there was no scarcity of cattle feed and the stock was sufficient for 150 days. An amount of Rs.85 lakhs had been released for drought relief works.

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