Mangaluru : The production of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. and Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd. and industries under the special economic zone is likely to be hit as they will get water once in two days from April 20.

At a meeting here on Monday to review the availability of water, Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada B. Ramanath Rai asked the district administration and the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to cut water supply to them by 50 per cent from Wednesday. It was to ensure that people got water for drinking.

If the MCC supplied water to MCF from Thumbe vented dam, MRPL got water from AMR Power Project’s vented dam across the Netravathi at Shamboor.

According to an official of the corporation, it drew six million gallons a day (MGD). The industries under SEZ lifted eight MGD from the same dam daily.

An official from MRPL told the meeting that production of the refinery would be hit if water supply was reduced or cut. It supplied petroleum products not only to the State but outside. Water was also required for storage to fight fire in case of emergencies.

Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim told the official that the priority was to supply drinking water first. “What if your own employees don’t get water to drink?” Mr. Ibrahim asked.

Finally, the meeting decided to go for water rationing for industries till it rained and dams got water.