Karnataka mandates weekly reviews, control rooms to tackle rural drinking water shortage

The Karnataka government has intensified efforts to address drinking water shortages in rural areas during the summer, with coordinated measures aimed at ensuring timely intervention and effective management, said Priyank Kharge, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and Information Technology & Biotechnology.

As part of the measures, all zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) have been directed to hold mandatory review meetings with Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) on the second and fourth Mondays for the next three months to assess ground-level realities. In addition, district authorities will conduct press briefings on the second and fourth Tuesdays to keep the public informed about actions taken, according to a release on Friday (March 20).

“To strengthen preparedness, we have instructed all districts to establish 24/7 control rooms with dedicated staff and to constitute Rapid Task Forces at the taluk level for immediate response to drinking water issues,” Mr. Kharge added.

Officials have also been directed to undertake 100% physical inspection of drinking water sources in rural habitation areas. Measures have been outlined to prevent contamination, including ensuring proper drainage around borewells, preventing stagnation of wastewater, and constructing protective concrete platforms around water sources.

“Officials must take steps to educate villagers on maintaining hygiene and managing water resources effectively,” the Minister said.

As summer conditions lead to drying up of water sources and reduced borewell yield, drinking water shortages have already been reported in several rural parts of the State.

To effectively manage the situation, officials have been instructed to conduct physical verification of all water sources, prevent contamination near borewells through proper drainage systems, ensure protective infrastructure around water sources, and create awareness among villagers on water safety and conservation.