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Udupi : The water storage at Baje dam would help meet the city’s needs only up to 15^th April, 2018, said Pramod Madhwaraj, district in-charge minister.

Speaking to media persons at White Lotus Hotel here in Udupi on Tuesday, 27^th February, Pramod Madhwaraj said that the present situation water storage in the Baje dam compared to previous year around 1.2 meter more than last year which only enough till 15^th April. If the water was allowed to be used in the same manner as at present, the water stock would last only till April 15^th. Hence Udupi City Municipal Council was likely to resort to water rationing soon which would be become essential.

The Swarna Second Stage water at the Shiroor dam was no stock last year. The third dam against Swarna was planned to be constructed at Shimbra. But hydrographical study conducted said that this dam also not feasible. Pramod said that the Swarna Second stage was built in the hope that it would take care of city’s water requirement till 2020. But, the water scarcity problem started in the city in 2013.Instead these programs, the elected representatives should take step of getting water from Varahi a decade ago, then the water scarcity problems would not have arise, he said.

In regard to Varahi project of Rs. 270 crores to bring water from Varahi to Udupi city had been drawn up. But there is some opposition to this water from Varahi to Udupi city project. We will clarify regarding the said project to the people and will try to take confidence, he said.

When there was opposition rule in Udupi CMC, there was acute shortage of drinking water in the city. Then we in person distributed the drinking water free of cost to the people. But now our ruling prevailed in Udupi CMC and CMC would supply in tankers wherever there was water scarcity.

Replying a query in relate to non- payment of subsidized kerosene to the fishing boats, Pramod Madhwaraj said that the Union government at the centre decision to reduce kerosene quota to the State was responsible for traditional boat fishermen not getting kerosene for their boats. The Union government wanted to promote zero kerosene use. So, the kerosene quota had been reduced to the states. Hence, this had made it difficult for the department of Food and Civil Supplies to get kerosene from the open market and provide subsidized kerosene to traditional fishermen. Such kerosene would have to be stores in kerosene bunks and its operation would have to be handed over to the fishermen’ cooperative societies. But, it would be better if the Union government came up with new system to provide kerosene to the fishermen, he said.