‘Can’t believe Mysore has water problem’

While reviewing the drought situation in Mysore district, chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda expressed surprise that the city was facing water shortage, despite proximity to KRS reservoir.

“I can’t believe that Mysore has drinking water problem, when it is just 14 km from KRS reservoir. The city cannot have water problem; if it does, it is due to faulty distribution network. That’s why I have entrusted the city’s water distribution network to Mysore district task force and withdrawn the rights bestowed on Jamshedpur Utilities & Services Company (JUSCO),” he said.

This Tata Steel subsidiary was awarded the contract in 2010. It is unpardonable that that city has drinking water problem, as the condition in the reservoir was comfortable. “I have allowed JUSCO to continue laying pipe and creation of infrastructure for water distribution network,” Gowda said.

He also said that all water bodies in the district, particularly the ones in Heggadadevana Kote and Hunsur taluks, which have been declared drought-prone, should be kept in ‘usable’ condition. They should be desilted and deweeded. All measures must be taken to supply drinking water to the people. “Lack of clean drinking water is one of the reasons for the epidemic (cholera) in the city,” Gowda said.