Karnataka: Udupi CMC authorities augment water storage at Baje dam

Jaideep Shenoy | TNN | Apr 9, 2020, 19:19 IST

UDUPI: Udupi city municipal council authorities on Thursday started the work of pumping water accumulated in the Swarna River at Sanebettu under Hiriyadka gram panchayat limits. This follows a decision taken to this effect on March 31 to ensure that Udupi had access to potable drinking water this summer, K Raghupathi Bhat, Udupi MLA said. The decision was taken in consultation with commissioner, Udupi CMC and its executive engineer.
The water pumped from Sanebettu will eventually help augment the water storage level at Baje vented dam that is the primary source of drinking water to the civic body, Bhat said. Three pumps have been deployed at Sanebettu which will help in water flow to Shiroor dam where two pumps have been deployed to facilitate its passage to Baje dam. The CMC authorities had followed a similar course of action to tide over water crisis last year.
Bhat said in doing so, the water requirements of not only the gram panchayats enroute has been taken care of, but efforts are being made to provide qualitative water supply to all 35-wards of the civic body. The CMC also availed services of divers to ensure that there was nil seepage at Baje dam and all 21 gates closed. Engineering section staff are maintaining a close and daily watch on water level and taking a call on water supply to residents, he said.
Mohan Raj, assistant executive engineer, CMC told TOI that water level at Shiroor dam had been augmented by 4 feet by placing sandbags. The bags were removed, and water to facilitate flow of water downstream by gravitational means and residual water pumped so that it reached Baje dam, he said. Water storage at Baje dam as on date is 4.5m against full level of 4.9metres, he said, adding the challenge is to make this water last till onset of monsoon.