The Hindu 18.03.2016
MUDA infuses new hope into water project
Mysuru city’s drinking water availability is expected to increase and more residential localities may get Cauvery water as the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) will acquire land for a proposed drinking water project at Hale Undawadi, about 2 km from KRS reservoir.
The launch of the project had been delayed over the land issue.
The Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) had prepared the Rs. 320-crore drinking water project, which is expected to add 300 million litres per day (MLD) of water to the city and nearby villages. The project was proposed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
MUDA Commissioner M. Mahesh told The Hindu that the crucial board meeting on Tuesday had decided to acquire 100 acres of land for the project. The land had been earmarked in the Mysore-Nanjangud Local Area Development Plan (comprehensive development plan) by the MUDA. However, it was acquired for industrial development by KIDADB.
Arguing that drinking water should get top priority, the MUDA board meeting resolved to urge the KIDADB to give the land to MUDA, which will pay its cost, he said.
Mr. Mahesh said MUDA had developed new layouts and proposed many layouts to meet the demand for site aspirants. Even many MUDA-approved layouts had been formed on the outskirts, increasing the demand for potable water. Therefore, the MUDA took the step of acquiring the land to get the project cleared.
The pipeline from Hale Undawadi to the city will also provide water to about 92 villages en route. The project had been proposed at a site where water would be available round the year. Construction of a jackwell at Hale Undawadi and a water treatment plant at Beechanakuppe, about 4 km away from KRS backwaters, had been proposed under the project.
