BANGALORE: Water has become a scarce commodity in Ramaswamypalya, Beerappa Road and surrounding areas in Marutisevanagar and Lingarajapuram.

Although Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) recently installed drinking water and underground drainage lines in all the 27 newly added wards of Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, including Lingarajapuram, water is supplied twice a week, but reduced to a trickle for one or two hours in these areas.

While areas in the downstream of Marutisevanagar get proper water supply, those located on an elevation have to make do with water coming in a trickle. This is troubling the residents of Ramaswamypalya, especially Beerappa Road. These people get water supply only on Thursdays and Sundays and that too for an hour.

"Because of the low pressure and the short duration of supply, we can hardly collect seven to eight pots on Thursdays. It is worse on Sundays when we get to collect only two to three pots," Subhadra, a resident of 1st Cross on Beerappa Road, said.

"We are senior citizens and stay alone. As my wife and I cannot go out to other streets to collect water, our neighbours sometimes lend us water," said P.L. Srinivasan.

Ramesh Kumar, a former nominated corporator, alleged that the water supply depended on the whims and fancies of the BWSSB worker who operated the valve.

"The BWSSB has deployed private workers to monitor water supply in this area and they are helpful only to those who pay them money. Several complaints to the jurisdictional BWSSB officials have been in vain," he said.

S. Rani Mani and Uma Shivakumar said they were forced to buy water in tankers at least twice a month. "We spend over Rs. 300 on this every month as we need at least one tanker in a fortnight," Ms Rani Mani said.

The residents are upset that they are being deprived of water even after they have paid over Rs. 5,000 and got meters installed.

"Several residents have unauthorised connections without any meters. Yet they are lucky to get adequate supply," Ms. Uma said.

BWSSB Assistant Engineer for East- I sub-division Dalayat B.S. said there was short supply of water in these areas. "That is because some areas are located on an elevation and some down a slope. But we are trying to set this right by disconnecting unauthorised lines," Mr. Dalayat said.

Pointing out that the number of connections had increased from 6,000 to 35,000, he said the existing 600 mm water line was not enough to cater to the entire area.

"Our Chairman N.C. Muniyappa has promised to get another line installed," he said. "I will ensure that water is supplied for an extra hour in these areas during the next supply," he added.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail