Sirsi: MLA Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said that Marigadde and Kengre, which are the main sources of water to Sirsi, had exhausted and so, alternative sources of water must be maintained properly.
Speaking at a meeting of City Municipal Council (CMC) officials and councillors organised in Sirsi on Thursday, Kageri observed that water to all the wards in Sirsi was not being supplied properly even once a week. He said that the stored water in the jack well had exhausted due to untimely construction of the bund across the streams. The bund constructed across Marigadde was also unscientific. Due to those loopholes, the water sources had dried out. So, the CMC must ensure that all the borewells and open wells were maintained properly so that there was no severe water problem. In addition to this, water can be supplied through tankers whenever the need arises.
He directed that wells must be desilted and garbage must be cleared. Elected representatives of wards must take the responsibility of cleaning the wells in their respective wards. As per norms, 40 litres water must be supplied to every person.
CMC engineer Sufiana told the meeting that presently, water in three tankers was being supplied to 11 areas in Sirsi. Another three tankers were ready in case of an emergency.
CMC members brought to the notice of the authorities that Ambagiri, Gandhi Nagar, Lions Nagar, Shriram Colony, Jodkatte, Huliyappanagudda, Ramanbail areas were in need of water.
Later, the MLA said that officials concerned must ensure that there was no shortage of water in hospitals, schools, anganwadis and other public places. He asked officials to work in a committed and united manner to tackle water issue.
He also called upon people not to misuse water. He said that the CMC staff must ensure that people do not use that water to wash vehicles or for the backyard garden.
When BEO Sadanand Swamy told the meeting that there was water shortage for mid-day meals in Government Model School No: 3 in Sirsi, Hegde asked the officials to look into the matter immediately.
Health Inspector R M Vernekar said that seven kilometres of the total 38 kilometres of pucca drainage flowing in Sirsi limits had been cleaned and tender for cleaning the remaining 31 kilometres has been accorded and the work would begin in another one or two days.
CMC Commissioner Ashwini B M, Tahsildar M R Kulkarni, AEE Satish Jahgirdar and others attended the meeting.