‘Bangalore heading for a water crisis’

Divergent views emerged on how the city is going to solve an impending water crisis at the Bangalore World Water Summit’s concluding day on Friday. “Bangalore is on its way to a very large water crisis if action is not taken immediately. On the health front, too, it is heading toward an epidemic outbreak due to poor sanitation,” said Prof Seetharam Kallidaikurichi, director; Institute of Water Policy.

At the roundtable, he said: “We have to make model townships where water, sanitation and other basic amenities are provided to people. We also have to help them become self-sustainable by setting up rainwater harvesting and water recycling plants,” he said.

“We are two decades behind advanced countries which have already started implementing sustainable solutions on water and sanitation. Recycled water — and not bottled water — should be served at the next water summit to prove that work is done to attain water independence,” he said.

Urban development secretary Arvind Srivastava said: “Water distribution should be like power distribution where the state makes water available and supply companies distribute water. Models are worked out based on this idea for water supply in the state.”

The session concluded on the note that much more has to be added to the draft policy on water, which is due to be released later this year.