Udupi: Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, on Wednesday directed the officers of MESCOM and KPTCL to supply power to the drinking water pumping station at Baje round the clock.

He was chairing a meeting of engineers of MESCOM and KPTCL here. Water to Udupi city and surrounding areas is supplied from the pumping station close to the dam against Swarna river at Baje.

Mr. Madhwaraj said that even stoppage of power supply for three hours disrupts water supply to Udupi city for three to four days. It was for this reason arrangements had been made to supply power from both Manipal (Power) Sub-Station and Hiriyadka (Power) Sub-Station.

The objective was that if power from one sub-station failed, the other could step in. But on March 14, there was no power supply from either power stations leading to disruption in water supply in the city, he said.

Sharatchandra, Superintending Engineer, MESCOM, said owing to rain on March 14, no power was supplied from either Varahi Hydro Electricity Project or UPCL. Hence, both sub-stations could not supply power to the drinking water station, he said.