JOIN USBWSSB plans still in pipeline
The ordinance amending the BWSSB Act to render rainwater harvesting mandatory is awaiting fixation of the last date. Water theft and unauthorised sanitary connection had been made an offence punishable with three years imprisonment and a penalty of Rs 5,000. The provision, if enforced in letter and spirit, would no doubt act as a deterrent.
However, there was no major respite from water scarcity in the Capital this year. With more areas coming under the BBMP, the Board has a formidable task ahead. The supply of additional 500 MLD of Cauvery Water is expected to commence by the end of 2011.
The BBMP council held a special session on water and the decisions helped people dig more borewells. However, ground water has depleted to alarming level due to reckless exploitation. Absence of regulations on ground water exploitation is one of the reasons. Though the BWSSB supplied water through its tankers, the private players made a fortune last summer by charging about Rs 600 per tanker of water.
Major projects on laying underground drainage pipelines in eight CMC and one TMC limits began this year. The work is expected to be completed in about two years. Then BWSSB minister Katta Subramanya Naidu came with a policy of not permitting new water connections to multi-storey residential and commercial buildings till 2011. However, in the absence of a government order, the Board is still accepting the applications seeking new connections.
The BWSSB is also carrying out a zero sewage campaign by segregating storm water drains from UGD lines under a pilot project in Hebbal. More such projects of replacing pipelines are expected in the coming days. Water from river Krishna, a dam in Mekedatu and diversion of west-flowing rivers are also in the pipeline.