Contigency plan ready for drinking water supply, minister

The Karnataka government has put in place a contingency plan to provide drinking water to Bangalore, Mysore and Mandya cites in the event of failure of rains, Water Resources Minister M B Patil said here today.
"People of Mysore, Bangalore and Mandya need not worry for drinking water till June end.We are hopeful of good rains. But in case rains fail, we have put in place a contingency plan with necessary backup arrangements," he told reporters after vising the KRS Dam here.
Patil said the Government has directed Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB) to act immediately on illegal water connections in Bangalore and added that the Chief Minister had given strict instructions to it to ensure that all illegal connections are dealt with immediately.

BWSSB had been directed to ensure controlled water supply for industrial and commercial purposes, he said, adding Government would seek cooperation of the industry and commercial establishments.
In the event of these sectors failing to cooperate, some "hard steps" would be taken, he added.
He also said modernisation works on various canals of KRS would be expedited and added that works on four of the five packages worth Rs 350 crore would be completed by July.
In a bid to improve water efficiency, government had sought funds from the Centre under the Central Water Policy, Patil said, adding that micro irrigation and recycling of water by industries would be made mandatory.