Mysore water supply project; JUSCO

This is the letter to the Citizens on the Project revamping the water supply system of Mysore into 24x7 system, by JUSCO. There were arguments for and against. It was seen as privitisation of water supply.

Dear Citizen,

Warm Greetings to you!

Like me, you also must be reading everyday about the JNNURM project connected with revamping of the Mysore water supply system; the views and counter views! One side, groups supporting the project and other side those opposing it!

I appreciate both the groups for showing interest on such important civic issues and boldly expressing their views. I wish that they always take up such issues, discuss it threadbare so that it benefits the citizens of the city! I always welcome views and opinions, however different or opposing they are. Because, they help in clearing the doubts!

At the same time, a common citizen like you, must be wondering what is going on. I thought it is my duty to intervene and share with you what I know about the project so that it will be of help to you. Though there are numerous issues discussed, but, those that matter are just three.

1. Is 24x7 water supply really required and is it technically possible?

2. Does it involve ‘Privatization’? Who is opposing this and why?

3. Will there be increase in the water tariff after the project?

Let us address the issues one by one.

1. Whether we need 24x7 water supply? Is that technically feasible?

Five years back, in 2004, when I joined Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation as the Commissioner, I also thought that, there is no need for 24X7 water supply, and it is sufficient to get water regularly for 2-3 hours every day.

But, later I learnt that 24X7 water supply not only makes it convenient for the people to use water at any time, but also ensures that:

1. Water is not wasted.

2. Water is not contaminated

3. It empowers the women folk to have freedom of choice.

How is it possible?!

Normally we all will think that, with 24x7 supply the wastage will be more. Interestingly, the answer is ‘no’ because, when water is supplied for 2-3 hours in a day and not regularly, we all tend to store water more than what is actually required.

For example, if your house requires 3 buckets of water, you will store water in all 5 buckets, because, you not sure when water will come next, and when it comes, it may be less than 3 buckets! Next day, when fresh water comes, you will empty the surplus water stored and again fill the fresh water. This is a repetitive feature in every house and every day. With more than 2.1 lakh homes (2001 census) in the MCC limits, is it not a colossal wastage of water?!

If water is made available round the clock in the pipe line, nobody will store the water and will only use as much as required as there will be meter. Then the wastage of the water will drastically come down. This has been proved in parts of Belgaum, Hubli & Dharwad, where water is being supplied round the clock

Next is about contamination. When water is supplied for 2-3 hours in a day, during rest of the time, the pipe line is empty, and it allows the outside ground water to seep inside, thus contaminating it. In 24X7, there is always water inside the pipeline under positive pressure and thus it does not allow any seepage inside the pipe. Thus, 24X7 water supply avoids contamination. It will make water much safer than what it is now.

Coming to technical feasibility, it is now a foregone conclusion that, 24x7 water supply is very much possible everywhere. Most of the cities abroad have 24X7 water supply and in India, Jamshedpur has it. Even in Karnataka, parts of Belgaum and Hubli- Dharwad have round the clock water supply.

2. Is there any privatization involved? Why there is opposition?

Interestingly, and contrary to the claims made by many, there is absolutely NO privatization in it! Let us see, how.

Privatization involves any of the following conditions.

1. Transfer of assets and infrastructure from the government to the private company, on permanent basis or long term of 30 years and above.

2. Freedom to the agency in fixing the charges (tariff).

3. Freedom to manage its affairs, including the staff.

Now, in the JUSCO project, none of the three are true! The assets will always be under the ownership of MCC and KUWSDB (Sec. 3.2.4 of the Contract) and will be only maintained by JUSCO and that too for a limited period of 6 years. There is no freedom to fix the tariff. Tariff is fixed by, ONLY by the MCC. The staff of VVWW, who will work under the supervision of JUSCO, will remain under the control of MCC/KUWSDB. Where is privatization in this?!

If so, why there is so much talk of Privatization and opposition?! Three reasons may be there. One, the some of the NGOs and prominent citizens, strongly feel that they must have been consulted and taken into confidence before the agreement was signed. Their feelings are understandable. But consultation was done with the Mysore Municipal council, which duly approved it.

I suggest that we may go for an ‘advisory committee’ involving concerned citizens, which will work along with the project. What we require now is proper implementation of the project. Such a committee will go a long way in ensuring quality work, and avoid delays.

The second reason is based on ideology. There are people who have strong negative views on anything that are managed by private persons. In any case, JUSCO is only an operator, and not the owner. They have been given like any other contractor, a task to perform with efficiency parameters, for which they are being paid.

The third, but not the least are from the vested interests. Its mainly the lobby comprising of ‘the powerful’ who influence the VVWW and ensure illegal connections (20,000 illegal connections as per the records of VVWW itself!), who don’t pay for the water they consume. Naturally they will oppose any transparent and efficient project that will put an end to such brazen illegalities.

3. Will there be increase in water tariff?

As mentioned already, JUSCO has absolutely no control in fixing the tariff. Tariff will be decided by the MCC. Even one rupee increase can be done only by the MCC council! Needless to say, a popularly elected council will think twice before increasing the tariff. Thus, the tariff may remain the same, but those who are paying less due to faulty meters will be paying for what they are consuming. And many, who were not paying anything, will have to pay, except the poor who will continue to get water from public taps.

Thus the project will change the things for good. There is nothing worthwhile to oppose the project. The tender process has been done in a transparent way. 12 companies participated, and JUSCO won the bid as it quoted the lowest. The agreement is available in the website. MGP has gone thru and given its comments too. The project is funded to 80% by the central government, and 10% by the state government. Mysore may never get so much money to overhaul the water supply system.

The project will bring in professionalism and efficiency; build the capacity of VVWW. (So that VVWW takes over the operations, after JUSCO leaves.) Such professionalism will benefit the citizens in long run, as it will reduce corruption, and increase the efficiency of the system. It is an opportunity the city should not miss. Citizens should move ahead with the project and ensure that it is implemented properly.

Warm regards and best wishes,

Manivannan, P.