24/7 water in Mysuru City really? Citizens fume over less supply hours

By Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Mysuru: The pilot project to supply drinking water 24 X 7 in Mysuru City has proved to be a bane rather than a boon for Mysureans. With less supply hours and lack of pumping pressure, citizens are facing a lot of problems in completing their daily chores.

People of Mysuru were not exactly elated when the city was selected for the 24 X 7 drinking water project along with HubballiDharwad Twin Cities under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, as they were getting round the clock water supply daily. At the time of execution, water was available in abundance and Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) decided to supply water throughout the day to parched areas. The MCC selected a few wards in the city for a pilot project. But the selected wards were getting water in abundance and so they reluctantly agreed to the laying of a separate pipeline and installation of water meters. The project was handed over to JUSCO which faced several hurdles in the execution of work such as laying of the special pipeline and installation of new water meters. In the meantime, the availability of water also reduced due to the coming up of new layouts and an increase in the city’s population.

After many years, the project was launched in select wards. The existing pipeline connection was removed and the new pipeline was connected in a few houses in some streets. But against the promised 24 X 7 supply, it was reduced to just two to three hours. The water supply would stop before the ground level water sump filled up and the sump would go dry if water was pumped to the overhead tank. Sometimes the supply would not last for even for two hours.

Kamlamma, a resident of Ward No 55 told News Trail that MCC unnecessarily disconnected the old pipeline that had ensured at least 16 to 18 hours of non-stop water supply. In the name of 24 X 7 water supply, what residents were getting was just two to three hours of supply which was not sufficient.It would taken more than an hour for the sump with 1500 litres capacity to fill and by the time it filled up, the water supply would stop.

Citizens say the MCC should have covered the entire ward with the 24 X 7 project and then the old pipelines should have been disconnected. But without doing it, they have forced citizens to face untold misery in the ongoing summer season. “Let them supply water with full pressure for a minimum five to six hours daily or revert to the old pipeline which had at least ensured uninterrupted supply for hours together”.

A BJP corporator slammed the MCC for the shoddy implementation of this project in Mysuru which did not face the drinking water supply till recently. Despite telling officials against the disconnection of the old pipeline, they went ahead and cut the old connection. The citizens of his ward are daily complaining to him about the short duration of water supply that too without pressure. “I will tell the MCC commissioner to go back to the old system of water supply till the new system is implemented throughout the city. The old pipeline must be restored and ensure the supply for a minimum of six to eight hours daily”.

Efficiency lacking
Prior arrangements should have been made before implementing any project. The JUSCO backed out from this project due to alleged redtapism and subsequently the project implementation was vested with Vani Vilasa Water Works. This project has been implemented in bits and pieces. Citizens are not informed about the advantages and disadvantages before implementing it. The houses which were getting water 10-12 hours a day are now getting for two hours. The elite citizens must file a PIL in the High Court against the shoddy implementation of the project,” said Vasanth Mysoremath, social activist.