Bylakuppe 5 Apr: In a major development taking place in Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlements, the Settlement Offices along with Cooperative Societies have obtained sanction order from the Government for the implementation of Cauvery Drinking Water Project proposal after series of meetings and appeal to the State Government and Zilla Panchayat office. This project costing Rs 1,500 lakhs jointly proposed to the State Government by the Settlement and Cooperative Society Offices 2 years ago, will be commencing in 4-5 months from now and is expected to be completed in 2 years’ time.
In view of drastic depletion of ground water table in Bylakuppe areas, the proposal for Cauvery Drinking Water Project was sanctioned and will be implemented by the State Government. The Project once completed will help in supply of adequate amount of safe drinking water. This Project covers the entire Tibetan Settlements in Bylakuppe including monasteries. Some of the neighbouring villages which will be covered under this project, are Doddaharve, Koppa, Avarthi, Sunkadahalli, Bylakuppe, Thirumalapura, Manchadevanahalli and so on. Mr. Tashi Wangdu, CEO of FTCI said, “This is the first of its kind in Tibetan refugee settlements in India, bringing safe drinking water to the door of each household. Presently we use underground bore well water that is contaminated with chemicals and bacteria.”
Cauvery Drinking Water Project will be sourced from Ranigate and Doddahosur points of Cauvery River. The water pipe will run through Lugsung Samdupling’s Camp Numbers 4, 3 and 2 till Tibetan Dickey Larsoe’s Village Number 10. Before reaching TDL Village No. 10, the water will be cleansed, treated, filtered and purified at a Filtration Plant covering a total area of 1.5 acres. After 3-4 filtration processes, the processed water gets supplied to a huge Over Head Tank (OHT) of 3.5-5 lakhs liter capacity. From this Over Head Tank, the drinking water will be pushed at a volume of 3,000 liters per minute to all the tanks located at the camps and monasteries in the Tibetan Settlements and its surrounding villages.
When asked, Mr Pema Delek, Chairman of Lugsung Samdupling Cooperative Society said, “This huge Project implemented by the State Government will benefit all people in the Tibetan Settlements and local villages.”
Requirement for this project:
· 1.5 acres of land for installation of Filtration Plant
· Separate 24-hour 3 phase power line for the Plant
· Staff quarters for 4 staff who will be supervising the Plant
Currently the Government is finalising the land for installation of the Filtration Plant. When Mr Pema Delek was asked about compensation from the State Government for the usage of 1.5 acres of land for Plant installation to the concerned Tibetan lessee or tenant, he said, “Unlike compensation granted to owner of private lands, the Government doesn’t provide compensation in the case of land given on lease to Tibetan refugees.” He further added that the Government will employ 4 staff members to operate and maintain the Project for the first 5 years. This operation and control of plant by the Government will be further extended for another 5 years depending on the requirement and request from the Settlement people.
