JOIN USA watered-down approach to new connections
People on the City’s fringes do not seem to be in a hurry to avail new water connections from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), under the Cauvery IV stage II phase project that was commissioned in October. This despite facing severe water crisis.
According to BWSSB, 97,000-odd applications have been issued, 43,000-odd filled-in forms have been received, 29,000-odd consumers have got new connections and 14,000-odd new consumers are yet to pay the fees. BWSSB officials say consumers were highly skeptical about availing new connections due their own reasons. They are taking their own time to submit the filled-in application forms, along with the fees, he said.
Many have issues over paying the plumbers as the amount depends on each consumer’s water connection and length of the pipeline to be used. The official said despite being given a simplified application form, ‘Sajala’, not many consumers were coming forward to avail the connections.
BWSSB has also taken up regularisation of unauthorised water connections and stabilisation of water supply in core areas of the City. The official said many consumers continued to draw water through unauthorised connections. In order to ensure that the connections are regularised to improve the revenue of the Board, BWSSB has asked its meter readers to check the water connections in 2,500 houses and inform about the defaulters. BWSSB will take action against those illegally drawing water from the main lines.
Borewell inspection
BWSSB officials will conduct an inspection of all borewells in the City, along with their BBMP and Bescom counterparts. They will identify defunct borewells. Owners of such borewells have to surrender the electricity connection and the RR number to avoid unnecessary billing, before January 20.
Ever since BWSSB has become the implementing authority for groundwater regulations, the Board has instructed all other civic agencies, including the Slum Board and BBMP, not to sink new borewells without BWSSB’s approval. In case a new borewell has to be sunk, the drilling agency and the consumer have to avail the permit, sink the borewell within 120 days and get it registered with the BWSSB. The Board has made it clear that Bescom’s electricity connection will not be provided without BWSSB’s permission.