University of Mysore to invest in pipeline for Cauvery water

The Manasagangotri campus in Mysuru faces a scarcity during summer and relies on water tankers for cater to the needs of hostels, departments and other facilities

The water-starved Manasagangotri campus in Mysuru is expected to get Cauvery water, as the University of Mysore (UoM) is bearing the expenditure, that runs into a few crores of rupees, to make this happen. The campus faces a scarcity during summer and relies on water tankers for cater to the needs of hostels, departments and other facilities.

With a new project of drawing water from the KRS backwaters under way, the university has entered into a kind of agreement with the authorities concerned to lay a separate pipeline to the campus. Once the project becomes a reality, Manasagangotri campus will get about 2 mld of Cauvery water daily.

Vice-chancellor G. Hemantha Kumar told The Hindu that the campus is dependent on 17 borewells for water supply to the campus, and also to the quarters adjoining the campus. Of these only eight borewells are yielding water now, and water becomes scarce during summer.

“To make up for the shortfall, water was sourced through tankers daily. The drinking water scarcity may become a thing of the past if supply of Cauvery water from the backwaters is established to the campus,” he said.

The VC said the university has deposited a sum of ₹1 crore towards the cost of the pipe, and may have to spend a few more crores for getting the water once the project is completed. “The investment is permanent since the university can save the cost incurred on supply through tankers,” he argued.

The Manasagangotri campus is becoming eco-friendly as the university has proposed installing rooftop solar power systems in all departments as a long-term measure to reduce dependence on conventional power and thereby save on the monthly power bills.

As of now, the university spends about Rs 4 crore on the electricity bills annually. It could save on the costs and also get revenue from the surplus power sold to the electricity supply corporation.