The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Brindavananagar residents cry for water

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 08, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Brindavananagar residents cry for water

By Afshan Yasmeen

BWSSB claims no complaints received

BANGALORE: Drinking water has become a scarce commodity in parts of Mathikere, especially in the fourth and fifth cross streets in Brindavananagar.

Though the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials claimed that the supply to the area has been regular, residents said the supply has been erratic for the last 20 days.

"Till 20 days ago, we used to get water every alternate day at a fixed time and did not have any problem. But after that, water is supplied at odd hours and that too without any pressure. We are finding it very difficult because we do not have any alternative source of water," J. Vijaylakshmi, a resident of 5th cross in Brindavananagar, said.

"Because the water is supplied at odd hours, sometimes at midnight or even later than that, it is difficult for us to stay awake and collect water. Most of us are working women and find it a big problem. Though we have complained to the BWSSB several times, it has been of little help," Kamala Venkatesh, another resident said.

The BWSSB Executive Engineer for north division, S.P. Rudramurthy, admitted that water is supplied at odd hours for some days because of the frequent power disruptions at the High Grounds low-level reservoir.

He said the old PVC pipes are being replaced with cast iron ones and residents have to take connections from their houses to the new pipelines.

"Because some residents have not shifted their connections to the new pipeline, there has been a water supply problem in HMT Layout. But supply to Brindavananagar has been normal and nobody has complained to us," Mr. Rudramurthy said.

But the residents said the water is supplied only for three to four hours on some days. "And the pressure is so low that even our sumps do not get filled up and sometimes we have to buy water in tankers," Manjula Chandrashekar, a resident of the fourth cross, said.

The jurisdictional BWSSB Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), M. Kempaiah, said that the pressure is because water is supplied to Bandappa Garden, Muthyalanagar, Mohan Kumar Nagar, Bahubalinagar, Sharadambanagar, and Brindavananagar through the same line. "These areas were given Cauvery IV Stage drinking water connection three months ago. We will now ensure that water is supplied at different timings to these areas so that there is normal pressure in the flow," he said.

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