Economic recession or boom, Bangalore continues to grow at a rapid pace. India’s fastest growing city is heading towards a water crisis as new layouts are coming up, even as the state has exhausted the quota of water it can draw from the Cauvery river to meet Bangalore’s drinking water needs. The Cauvery fourth stage, second phase project commissioned recently could be the last project bringing Cauvery water to the city. Faced with the daunting task of meeting the city’s burgeoning water needs, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has, for the first time, stressed the need to look beyond the Cauvery. The BJP manifesto, set to be released in a couple of days, will promise to bring water from river Hemavathi to Bangalore. City BJP spokesman S Prakash spoke to DNA on the details of the BJP’s Hemavathi vision.
The BJP manifesto is expected to talk of bringing Hemavathi river water to Bangalore. Have you looked into the feasibility of the proposal?
Diversion of excess water from the Hemavathi river during monsoon floods is what we are looking at to find a long-term solution to Bangalore’s water woes. It is not just a promise to woo the voters ahead of BBMP polls. We have definitely consulted experts before incorporating it in our manifesto.
Could you elaborate?
Hemavathi is a tributary of river Cauvery. It is very close to Bangalore as it flows near Kunigal in Tumkur district, 75 km from Bangalore. It is just 30 km from Kumudvathi and Arkavathy river valleys that pass through Bangalore. River Hemavathi causes huge floods during monsoon and we can divert that excess water to Kumudvathi and Arkavathy valleys. The plan will not need big investment and it will not affect the interests of farmers either. We have no option but to look beyond Cauvery, as the Cauvery tribunal has imposed a cap of 19 tmc ft on water that can be drawn from the river for drinking purposes. Hemavathi is a practical solution in the light of the fact that people are not very keen on drinking recycled water.
Have you prepared any project report?
No. The proposal has not gone that far yet. But we have taken preliminary expert views before incorporating it in our manifesto. We will take the proposal forward vigorously if voted to power in the BBMP polls.
Any more novel programmes from the BJP for the city?
Our manifesto will offer a commitment to hand over all BBMP schools to the education department. A civic body has no business to run educational institutions. At present, these schools are suffering due to lack of teaching staff and other facilities.
We have also formulated an effective e-waste management programme for Bangalore. The electronic waste from computers and mobile phones is very hazardous. A scientific disposal system for e-waste will be implemented.
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