State to ask for more water from Cauvery - Bangalore - Cities - The Times of India

State to ask for more water from Cauvery - Bangalore - Cities - The Times of India

State to ask for more water from Cauvery
13 Jun 2009, 0332 hrs IST, TNN

Bangalore : Karnataka will challenge the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award by filing a fresh petition, seeking additional 32 TMC ft water to meet Bangalore's requirements.

"We will pursue the special leave petition pending before Supreme Court, seeking a review of its earlier order," BWSSB minister Katta Subramanya Naidu said on Friday.

Currently, the state is receiving 17 TMCft to meet Bangalore's drinking water requirement. "The tribunal had allotted 17 TMC ft when the city was just 300 sq km in size. Now, it has expanded to 800 sqkm," Naidu said.

Rejuvenation of Arkavathy

The government will take steps to revive and conserve Arkavathy, a tributary of Cauvery, again to augment drinking water needs.

"At least 25% of water supply for Bangalore comes from Arkavathy. But recently, the source has dried up by 50%, thanks to encroachments. Also, we have lost feeder lines to large and small water tanks fed by Arkavathy," Bommai said.

"We'll lead a team of officials, including deputy commissioners of Bangalore Urban and Rural, and prepare on-the-spot action plan," he explained.