Bhopal: Upper Lake can only sustain the water supply to city areas for next 100 days. If Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) failed to lay down Kolar and Narmada pipelines in the areas solely relying on Upper Lake, the residents in the coming days would be left high and dry.
The authorities may have to resort to alternate day water supply in areas like Idgah hills and Bairagarh, which are solely dependent on the Upper Lake to meet their drinking water requirement. Around 30 MGD water is drawn from Upper Lake daily, but due to its declining water-level, BMC has already cut down the supply and is currently drawing only 23 MGD water per day.
The water level of the lake which usually stands at 3588 million cubic feet (MCFT), has come down to 1150 MCFT, prompting the civic authorities to mull over alternate day water supply in the areas According to BMC officials, the Lake can cater to demand only till June 4 if water is supplied every day, however, if alternate day supply is maintained, water could reach household till July 31.
The BMC authorities are thus keen on imposing a cut and supplying water on alternate days to areas including Idgah hills and Bairagarh. Congress MLA Arif Masood has written a letter to BMC commissioner seeking detail information about city’s water sources. The MLA has asked that if Upper Lake falls short of water in the coming days, from where water will be supplied to the residents.
Masood said that he has asked the BMC to provide data of all water bodies in the city to formulate a plan for ensuring regular water supply. Leader of opposition in BMC, Mohammad Sageer said supply of water from Upper Lake need to be discontinued and the resident should be supplied water from Narmada line or from Kolar.
