BANGALORE: Health and Family Welfare Minister R. Ashok on Wednesday directed the agencies involved in the formation of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to ensure that there is no shortage of drinking water during summer, especially in areas newly added to the Palike.

He directed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to gear up to meet the additional demand of water supply in the new areas.

BWSSB required an additional 100 million litres a day to meet the drinking water needs of BBMP, Mr. Ashok said. During a review meeting of BBMP's administration, the Minister, who is in charge of city development, asked BWSSB Chairman N.C. Muniyappa to identify dysfunctional borewells in areas where drinking water lines were yet to be laid.

When the officials informed him that there were 210 such borewells, the Minister asked the officials to get these borewells regenerated so that people were not put to hardship.

"Depending on the need, the board can get borewells drilled at 120 locations in the new areas subsumed with the 100 wards of the erstwhile BMP," the Minister told presspersons later.

Asserting that the verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal will not affect the supply of drinking water in the city, Mr. Ashok said. "The residents of new areas should not be deprived of any amenities. I have directed the civic agencies to ensure that the facilities for residents of all the new zones of BBMP are on par with old areas."

Following a direction by the Karnataka High Court, the BWSSB is conducting a survey of contaminated borewells (situated next to drains). "After the survey, water samples from these borewells will be tested to detect traces of contamination and find out whether it is fit for consumption," Mr. Ashok said.

The Minister said the Government would soon decide on collecting betterment charges from property owners in new areas.

Garbage clearance

The Minister authorised BBMP Deputy Commissioner (Health) Manu Baligar to call short-term tenders for garbage clearance.

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