When severe damage to Vijayanagar Central Storage Reservoir (CSR) was reported in the media in April 2007, MGP and Dr. Ajay Memorial Drinking Water Foundation organized a team of microbiologists to visit the CSR. The team consisted of Prof. A. Ramalingam, Retired Professor of Aerobiology, Universities of Mysore and Karnataka, Prof. S. Shankara Bhat, Retired Professor of Botany, University of Mysore, Prof. Keshava Nireshwalia, Retired Head, Biotechnology Dept, Katmandu University and Retired Senior Scientist, CFTRI, Dr. E. Rati Rao, Retired Scientist, CFTRI. The experts gave a report in which they predicted that since the entire CSR roof was in an extremely fragile condition (with the sinking of the roof visible to the naked eye in several places), more portions of the roof were certain to collapse soon. They argued that the only practical solution was the replacement of the whole roof. They also argued that any temporary repair work will endanger the lives and limbs of the workers and also the health of the public.
Mysore City Corporation ignored this advice and went for piecemeal repair work. As predicted by the expert group, the roof of the CSR collapsed in two more places in October, 2007 and in one more place two days ago. This is gross irresponsibility on the part of MCC.
There are at least eight places where the roof of Vijayanagar CSR is sunken and pools of water form after a rainfall. These spots are excellent bets for collapsing in the coming days.
The experts had observed in October, 2007 that the nylon nets covering the air vents in the CSR have holes through which pigeons are flying into the CSR and probably building nests again. It does not appear that this problem has been addressed. Also, no measures have been taken so far to close the gaping hole formed in the roof after the recent collapse, again allowing pigeons to fly in. Sunlight in the CSR will promote growth of algae which will attract many insects. Roof debris from the last three collapses are also present in the CSR water.
People who receive water from Vijayanagara tank should be prepared to receive dirty water (with pigeon droppings, algae, insects, cement, iron dust, etc.) for many days to come. They are well-advised to purify the water before drinking it.