Water problems loom over 40% of twin cities

HUBBALLI: If the current situation of drinking water supply continues, 40 percent of Hubballi-Dharwad will face acute water supply problem within two weeks.


This was disclosed at a review meeting with water board and HDMC zonal officials convened by DC Deepa Cholan here on Thursday.

Water board executive engineer S S Rajgopal said that 59 areas of 16 wards in Hubballi-Dharwad are facing problems in water supply due to dried up water sources, and were getting water only once in 12 days.

When the DC asked what the situation would be in two weeks, Rajgopal said it could worsen. HDMC commissioner Shakeel Ahmad intervened said Navanagar, Anandnagar and other areas will face severe water problem, adding that almost 40 percent of the twin cities will face acute problem.

Cholan ordered all officials to ensure proper water supply to all 67 wards in Hubballi-Dharwad. “There should not be a cycle gap of more than eight days. Already Rs 50 lakh and Rs 43 lakh has been sanctioned under drought relief works to sort water supply issues,” she added.

She told officials to initiate immediate action to open new borewells , recharge existing ones and repair defunct ones.

Poll work should not trouble people

Election works should not affect people of Hubballi-Dharwad. Water board officials should ensure no water problem should arise during elections, said Cholan. Officials should prepare an action plan for the next two months in which all aspects are covered, she added.

The absence of HDMC’s zonal assistant commissioners in the meeting irked the DC. She took commissioner Shakeel Ahmad to task and asked why the ZACs were absent when all water board officials were present. “The ZACs could have given the exact status of water supply on the ground,” she added.

Deepa said all officials must attend complaints pertaining to water supply within 24 hours. HDMC commissioner Shakeel Ahmad, Vinayak Palankar and other officials were present.