Mangaluru: Roshan Baig, Karnataka’s Minister for Urban Development has said that he would personally look into solving the water problem in Mangaluru by taking steps to increase the level of water storage in the Thumbe vented dam.

Responding to a call attention motion by MLA J R Lobo during the Assembly session on Wednesday, Minister Baig said that he would conduct a spot inspection and would take necessary steps.

MLA Lobo said that even though the height of Thumbe vented dam had been raised to seven meters, water could be stored only up to four meters. He said that to increase the level to five meters, an additional 45 acres land would be required. He added that if immediate steps were not taken, Mangaluru would continue to face water problems.

J R Lobo informed that the Mangaluru City Corporation had prepared a plan of setting aside Rs 35 crore that would be required to be paid to land owners as compensation.