Karnataka Deputy CM Denies Bengaluru Water Crisis Amidst Severe Shortages

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar refuted claims of a water crisis in Bengaluru on Thursday, despite reports of severe shortages affecting residents, particularly in areas like Whitefield, KR Puram, Electronic City, RR Nagar, Kengeri, and CV Raman Nagar over the past few weeks.

Addressing the issue of water scarcity in Bengaluru, especially in light of reports from various areas, DK Shivakumar, who also oversees Bengaluru Development, stated, "As far as Bengaluru is concerned, there is no water crisis. Only around 7,000 borewells have dried up. We have made alternative arrangements for them. We have taken control of water tankers and identified additional water sources to ensure a continuous supply of water."

Interestingly, Karnataka Congress MLC BK Hariprasad had made a similar assertion the previous day, denying any water crisis in Bengaluru. He also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engaging in political maneuvering.

Responding to allegations by BJP leaders that the Congress government was secretly diverting Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu despite the water shortage in Karnataka, Shivakumar dismissed the claims as baseless. "It is completely false. There is no water available for release. This is merely a political tactic being employed by the BJP," stated Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president.

In a bid to counter BJP's accusations, Shivakumar reminded them of his advocacy for the 'walk for Mekedatu project,' which aims to establish a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river at Mekedatu in Kanakapura taluk of Ramanagara district. Emphasizing his commitment to the project, Shivakumar, the MLA from Kanakapura, urged BJP MPs and Union ministers to facilitate the necessary permissions for the Mekedatu project's implementation.