Squabbling civic agencies let SWD leak for 20 days

For the past 20 days, the BWSSB and the BBMP have squabbled over closing an overflowing storm water drain close to a bus stop in Whitefield.

Water stagnates in the uneven road, turning the area –also closer to a hospital- into a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike have argued on who should take up the work though locals have complained about the condition 20 days ago.

“I called up the BWSSB on July 16th to tell them about the issue, but they refused to accept the complaint citing it is BBMP’s responsibility to repair the stormwater drain,” Dipesh Kona, who made the complaint, said. “After my repeated calls, they finally accepted the complaint on July 22nd, but the issue remains the same.”

Kona said the stagnant water has begun to reek and residents fear malaria and other diseases spreading.

Shwetha Ram, a regular to the bus stop, said she has been seeing the filthy water for many days now. “We can’t wait at the bus stop, especially in the night, since mosquitoes have started to breed on it. Also, speeding vehicles splash the dirty water on those standing there,” she said.

One of the BBMP officials told DH that repairing storm water drains is BWSSB’s responsibility. “BBMP can’t be held responsible for it,” he added.

BWSSB Assistant Executive Engineer Venkatesh said the BBMP is maintaining the storm water drains. “The repair and upgrades of the SWDs should be reported to BBMP,” he said.