Parched Majagavi residents protest for tap water

Belagavi: Drinking water problem has surfaced across Belagavi district even before the onset of summer. Residents of Majagavi area attached to the city staged a protest on Thursday, demanding that the supply of drinking water through tankers be stopped and water be supplied through taps.
Women held empty pots and shouted slogans against the local MLA and the corporation. Savita, a resident of Majagavi, said although the residents' taps are working, the corporation has not been supplying water through taps to various settlements for two months. "When we inquired about it, we were told the pipeline was under repair. It has not been repaired for two months, so water is being supplied to surrounding areas, including Majagavi, through tankers. This water is not suitable for drinking. Therefore, water should be supplied through the pipeline," she said.
Renuka, another resident, said, "We appealed to the corporators, officials, and MLAs to provide water through taps, but to no avail. Even the MLAs have not responded, so we have taken to the streets. If the authorities do not supply water on time, we will lay siege to the corporation office."
Kannada activist Anil Daddi warned that if drinking water is not provided through taps, they will block the main road of Khanapur and protest. "Then, we will lay siege to the corporation office," he added.
Belagavi residents alleged that despite abundant rains filling the Rakaskop and Hidkal reservoirs, which supply water to the city, the drinking water problem has not been resolved. Currently, various areas in Belagavi, including Khasbagh, Om Nagar, Shahapur, Bhagya Nagar, Hindwadi, Hanuman Nagar, and Kuvempu Nagar, are facing drinking water supply problems.
Officials of Larsen and Toubro, which supplies water to the city, said the pipeline supplying water to Majagavi and other areas was damaged near the industrial area. The pipelines, roads, and cables were damaged due to the work undertaken by a real estate entrepreneur. Due to the incomplete repair work, there is a disruption in water supply. The problem is not with the water supplier, they said.
Caption: Residents of Majagavi protest over drinking water supply on Thursday