Addressing Karnataka’s Severe Water Crisis: Implementation of Control Rooms and Helplines

Amidst a critical water shortage in Karnataka due to severe drought, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared the establishment of control rooms at the Taluk level and the introduction of helpline numbers. Following a meeting with principal secretaries and deputy commissioners, task forces, spearheaded by local MLAs, have been formed to combat the drought. Siddaramaiah affirmed the creation of district and Taluk level control rooms to manage the water crisis, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring sufficient funds. Out of 236 Taluks, 223 are affected, with 219 facing severe repercussions. Efforts include the organization of 646 meetings at the Taluk level and 307 meetings by 20 drought management authorities. Furthermore, there is a pressing drinking water crisis in 412 Panchayats across 98 Taluks, prompting the supply of water through 204 water tankers in 175 villages. Private borewells are being utilized to supply water to 500 Gram Panchayats, with 596 borewells currently in operation. In Bengaluru city, water is being distributed through 120 municipal tankers and 232 water board tankers. The local administration is set to assume control over private borewells, with agreements in place to ensure compensation. Additionally, Rs 70 crore has been allocated for the drilling of new borewells, approved by Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat chief executive officers. Immediate relief of Rs 2,000 has been disbursed to each of the 33.25 lakh farmers, amounting to Rs 631 crore in total expenditure by the state government