Water connections sans OC: BBMP told to pass resolution

Tushar Girinath, chairman of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board suggested the BBMP council pass a resolution to provide water connections to buildings even without occupancy certificates (OC).

On Tuesday, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) held a special council meeting with the BWSSB officials to solve the various grievances raised by the corporators.

“The board is not supplying water to 30X40 sq ft and 60X40 sq ft sites as the Palike has not issued them the OCs. However, the board can supply water by providing temporary connections to the sites with an area more than 5,000 sq ft. The board should not ask them for the OCs,” the corporators urged.

After a brief discussion, Girinath said: “If the BBMP passes the resolution to provide water connections to houses with an area of more than 300 sq ft without occupancy certificates, the BWSSB is ready to supply water.”

The corporators also complained about letting sewage water into the stormwater drains.

In reply, Girinath said in 2010-12, when the 4th stage of Cauvery water connections were provided, there was no facility to purify water. If we are provided with proper facilities, we would not have to let sewage water into the rajakaluve. By 2020, we will set up Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) to purify 1,575 MLD (Million Liters per Day) in Vrishabhavathi Valley, Hebbal, and KC Valley."

The discussion ranged from water issues to sewage management. The corporators complained about cleaning the drains, manholes, availability of jetting machines and restoration of roads, especially in the 110 villages.

“The BWSSB has taken up projects worth Rs 5,000 crore. By the end of May this year we will provide water connections in 110 villages,” the chairman said.

The board has floated tender to buy 70 jetting machines to desilt 2.40 lakh manholes across the city, Girinath explained.

The chairman further added: “We have received Rs 600 crore from Asia Bank to replace old pipes. The executive engineers will be always available to help the people and corporators regarding water-related issues. We also plan to conduct two meetings in a month in the wards to address board-related issues.”

RR Nagar MLA Munirathna complained that Cauvery water was being supplied to clean trains at the Yeshwantpur railway station. “The board can supply the same water to the Yeshwantpur ward rather than wasting drinking water like this,” he said.