The case here is replacement of water and sanitary pipelines on Miller’s Road. Besides, the BWSSB has not kept its promise of supplying additional water to the residents of Bangalore East. The work was taken up in the first week of May, 2011 and was scheduled to be completed in 20 days.
With the replacement of pipelines, 30 MLD of water per month would be saved and supplied to the residents of Bangalore East, promised the Board. The areas that were to be benefitted were Pillanna Garden, ITI Colony, Frazer Town, Benson Town, Cox Town, DJ Halli, KJ Halli and Machali Betta.
On May 25, the BWSSB sent intimation about the switch over of pipelines and where water was supplied in the newly laid pipeline. After the switchover, residents of Bangalore East are not even receiving the stipulated supply.
“Residents here are paying Rs five per pot of drinking water. On Davis Road, residents receive round-the-clock water supply which has proved ‘profitable’ for them. They fill their tanks with excess water and sell it in Pillanna Garden. Since, we do not have regular water supply, most of the residents here are not cooking at home, instead are depending on hotels,” said Raju, a resident of Pillana Garden. The situation is no different in D J Halli where residents are tired of complaining of lack of water supply.
Massive protest
“The BWSSB had promised us that water supply will increase once the work on Miller’s Road completes. But even though they have changed the water lines, we are yet to receive water. We will hold a massive protest in front of Cauvery Bhavan,” said Dharma Gowda, a resident of D J Halli.
Reacting to the queries, T Venkataraju, engineer-in-chief said most of the work related to laying of pipelines has been completed. Some work related to road levelling around manholes are still pending.
“We have successfully replaced and redirected the water supply. But due to air blocks, we are not able to supply water in full capacity to most parts of Bangalore East. We will check the air valves in the newly-laid pipelines, and resume normal water supply in a week’s time,” he added.
