JOIN USSanitary, drinking water lines too close for residents' comfort
The fact that a manhole chamber was constructed just below water pipelines have come as a rude shock to them.
The BWSSB seems to have lost its maps of existing water lines and have criss crossed the sanitary lines with water supply lines in this area of Yelahanka Satellite Town Ward. “We appreciate that BWSSB is finally laying sanitary lines in our area, but they should not do a shoddy job by laying both water and sanitary lines together,” said Ramaiah, a resident of the area.
For years, people of this area were deprived of water and proper sanitary lines, says Narayanappa, another resident. “We are happy that the BWSSB is finally laying the sanitary lines. But they are constructing the manhole chamber very close to the water lines. There is a high risk of contamination,” he added. Though the residents brought the issue to the notice of the BWSSB officials concerned, nothing seems to have changed.
Area corporator, M Muniraju, agrees with the claims by the residents. According to him, water lines were laid about five-six years ago and the roads were concreted later. “BWSSB has no idea where the pipelines are located. It is drilling everywhere while laying sanitary lines. I am aware of the criss crossing of lines and have already requested the officials to change the lines,” he added.
Narayana Gowda, AEE, BWSSB admitted that the Board does not have the maps of existing water lines. “It is inevitable that at certain junctions and turns on the road, the sanitary lines will have to be intersected with the water lines. I agree that in some places we have to change the lines. The water lines are always kept above the sanitary lines. So there is no question of any contamination,” he added.
The BWSSB had laid the water pipelines in the area five years ago. However, the residents will have to wait till March 2012 to get water as the Cauvery IV stage II phase will be commissioned only by then. On a temporary basis, residents have laid separate pipelines for borewell water and sanitation. The area corporator had lent a helping hand in their efforts.