BWSSB for fair distribution of water

Reduces supply to core areas in 2 divisions to quench thirst of the rest

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has partially reduced water supply to the core areas, especially those under the South and West divisions, in order to ensure equitable supply to all the areas.

Though the BWSSB claims to have been distributing water equally under the Cauvery Water Supply Scheme (CWSS), there has been a large-scale disparity in the supply.  According to a BWSSB report on the distribution timings, Bangalore South, South-East, West and Central receive water supply on alternate days with average supply hours ranging from 6 to 18 hours.

Many areas in Bangalore North and East receive water weekly once for just few hours, while some VIP areas receive water almost 22 hours a day, as BWSSB sources said.  

Several parched areas with BWSSB lines could get water in the event of the Board restructuring its distribution schedule. The Board supplies 390-400 million litres of water to six lakh-odd connections in the City.  Bangalore Central has 50,811 connections and receives 30.38 million litres per day (MLD); Bangalore North has 94,468 connections and receives 56.83 MLD; Bangalore West has 1,58,141 connections and receives 107.5 MLD; Bangalore East has 85,841 connections and receives 41.47 MLD; Bangalore South has 1,35,157 connections and receives 103.37 MLD and South-East has 71,752 connections and receives 51.4 MLD.

The BWSSB’s distribution timings report says that Banashankari II Stage receives water from 6 am to 6 pm on alternate days. 

Similarly Timmaraya Gowda Nagar, Manjunath Nagar, Rangaiah Layout and surrounding areas receive water from 7 am to 11 pm.  Pragatipura and Vivekananda Colony in Banashankari receive water from 6 am to 11.30 pm.  

Most areas in BTM Layout receive water supply for six to eight hours, KS Colony, Dollar Layout and other areas receive water from 9 am to 8 pm on alternate days.  Basavanagudi, Srirama Mandira Road, Mahamadan Block and Sakamma Garden receive water from 8 pm to 6 am.

Many areas in JP Nagar receive water from 12 noon to 6 am. On the contrary, most areas in Bangalore North and East, at the tail end of the supply chain, receive water weekly once or twice.  

Pillanna Garden, Frazer Town and areas in Bangalore East receive minimal water supply. Explaining the reason for the difference in water supply, BWSSB engineer-in-chief T Venkataraju said the Board was making effort to cut down the supply in many places by one or two hours.  

“Bangalore South does not have any reservoirs to store and supply.  With the absence of reservoirs, water has to be maintained in the main feeder lines, which ensures Bangalore South and surrounding areas with adequate water supply,” he added.

Shortage of workers

A BWSSB official said another reason for the disparity in water supply is the shortage of Group ‘D’ workers, who work as valvemen. 

Many valvemen, hired on contract basis, fail to execute the work on time. If a valve is not opened or closed on time, water supply varies in the areas.  According to a BWSSB circular issued on March 6 to all its divisional engineers, the operations and opening of major valves are now kept at various branches on the transmission mains of Cauvery water supply. 
Palike prepares for monsoon

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has started its preparation for the monsoon in right earnest. BBMP Commissioner M K Shankaralinge Gowda has issued a circular to officials directing measures to prevent flooding this year. 

The commissioner has instructed the officials to clear the debris from drains to ensure free flow of rain water and to remove encroachment on storm water drains. The circular directs to ensure proper functioning of the Palike control rooms and asks the engineers to identify ‘high flood level’ mark in the storm water drains. Meteorologists have predicted a normal monsoon this year.