Water crisis hits Krishna Mutt’s devotee facilities

UDUPI: Udupi Krishna Mutt has informally asked devotees staying on its premises to cut back on water usage because of a severe crisis in the district. The city municipality supplies water once a week. The mutt on its part is managing the crisis with water tankers and wells within its premises.
The Sri Krishna Mutt Environment Foundation has appealed to devotees that the toilet complex, which includes two bathrooms, should be used only by tourists and not locals. The mutt has about 1,500 footfalls during weekdays and 2,000 on weekends.
Harish Kottari, a contractor who manages the toilet complex, said some people in the temple town were ready to offer water from wells or borewells for free, but transportation was an issue — each trip costs Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000. “The toilet wing requires at least 30,000 litres of water daily and we are getting just two tankers of supply. Hence, we have asked devotees not to bathe or wash clothes at this facility,” he said.
The toilet facility was shut three days last week to check water usage. Krishna Mutt requires 60,000 litres of water, which is met by five tankers and three in-house wells. A bigger challenge awaits the administration when the mutt gears up for Brahmakalashothsava from May 29 to June 9.