Water board seeks police cover for disconnection drive

 The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has sought police protection to execute its disconnection drive against unauthorised water and sanitary connections in Jagajeevanram Nagar.

A BWSSB official told Deccan Herald he had written a letter to the police seeking their presence when they carry out the drive as their team, which visited the area on Tuesday, was not allowed to inspect water and sanitary lines.

A group of people objected to any waterline disconnection and chased away the team, he said.Given the untoward incidents in the past, the BWSSB officials want to play it safe this time around.

Despite the residents’ objection, the BWSSB was able to recover nearly Rs 1 lakh arrears from different houses in the area. Jagajeevanram Nagar is notorious for unauthorised connections, which has also increased water contamination in the area.

The BWSSB, during its drive, was able to disconnect 69 unauthorised connections, issue 97 notices and recover nearly Rs 4,99,500 from defaulters. In the southeast sub-division, 19 water and sanitary connections were disconnected and Rs 1,02,500 recovered as arrears. In the northwest sub-division, 13 unauthorised connections were disconnected, five notices were issued and Rs 1 lakh collected as dues.
 
In the southwest, there were 10 unauthorised connections disconnected and Rs 1 lakh recovered as dues. In the northeast sub-division, there were 10 disconnections and Rs 62,000 recovered.

In the central sub-division, Rs 1,35,000 was recovered. In the east sub-division, there were six disconnections and 11 disconnections in the north sub-division. In the south sub-division, there were 10 disconnections and 49 notices  issued. In the west sub-division, 43 notices were issued.

Residents’ woes

Reviewing the water supply problems in Byatarayanapura, BWSSB Minister S Suresh Kumar said the new water project, Cauvery IV stage II phase, was mainly commissioned to fulfil the water demands of the areas newly added to the City.

He said of the 200 million litres of water (mld) drawn at present, the BWSSB was able to get account only for 100 mld. He urged the residents of Byatarayanapura to instal water meters and avail authorised connections.

He also promised water supply to Sanjeevini Nagar by installing a pump at Sahakarnagar ground-level reservoir.

He also assured to supply water to Jodigehalli, Vidyaranyapura and Doddabommasandra through GKVK reservoir by February 5.