Mysuru: Following complaints from the public about water shortage in localities falling under the Krishnaraja assembly constituency, the segment’s MLA SA Ramadas, a former minister and senior BJP leader, visited the Melapura Pump House on Saturday to assess the situation.
Ramadas was accompanied by officials of Vani Vilas Water Works on his visit, and the latter group found themselves at the receiving end of a few tough questions from the legislator.
“Nearly 224 MLD (million litres per day) are pumped into the city daily. If that is the case, why is it that only 123 to 125 MLD is being billed? What is happening to the remaining 100 MLD? Where is it going, and who is it being given to?” asked Ramadas, making his displeasure at the lack of documentation on the remaining 1,000 MLD known to the officials.
The senior BJP leader pointed to the varying responses from one official to another, when queries regarding the unaccounted for water were asked. “Water is supplied to Ramanahalli, Devanoor and Yaraganahalli near German Press, which is arounf 3 MLD. No one knows where the water is being supplied to these centres from, and whom to take action against,” said Ramadas.
The MLA also questioned the lack of documentation on the 3 MLD of water being supplied for cleaning. “Is it being supplied to the canals? Such water is used for recycling in Kabini, but such a facility is not available here,” he said.
Ramadas said that the lack of documents raised questions on the possibility of the water being stolen, or being supplied illegally.
“Presently, two motors are being operated at Melapura, and I have directed officials to run them, and water will be supplied to KC Layout, JC Layout, Siddhartha Nagar, Ittigegud, Alanahalli and surrounding areas. Chief minister HD Kumarswamy will visit the pump on Wednesday or Thursday, and take necessary action,” Ramadas said.
The legislator later paid a visit to the water purification unit at Ramanahalli, being built under the Centre’s Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), and instructed officials to speed up work on the unit.