No objections to new constructions

BWSSB is giving NOC promising supply of Cauvery water by 2011-12

Baffling as it may seem, the new constructions are given clearance by the BWSSB in the city and Gram Panchayats outside the purview of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

“A minimum of Rs 1.5 lakh is charged for any apartment as a fee for the NOC in the City,” said a BWSSB official. Since 2006, over 1,000 projects have been given permission to begin construction in Bangalore based on the assurance that the water under the Cauvery IV stage scheme will reach them by 2011-12. The BWSSB in these cases have been awarding the NOCs with a clause that water supply to these new apartments ‘subject to availability of water’. 

KSPCB nod

Relying on these NOCs, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) have also been giving the green signal for such constructions.

“With permission not available to draw ground water in the City, we have to rely upon the no-objection certificate given by the BWSSB for giving permission to new constructions in the City,” said a KSPCB official.

According to the amendment to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act of 1994, new constructions above 10,000 sq meters have to get a clearance from the KSPCB.

Citing the troubles of finding potable water, the water tanker cartels have utilised the loopholes in the Government orders of drawing potable water.

“With no requirement of a clearance from us (KSPCB) on a single-storeyed dwelling or a house in 30x40 sites, there are evidences of people drawing water from these locations and supplying them to nearby high rise buildings,” said the official.

According to the rules, there is no requirement of a licence to draw ground water in locations which are below 50 apartments and hence do, not fall under the pollution control board purview.