JOIN USOne road, many claimants see hundreds go without water
Water woes continue to dog residents of Sir M Visvesvaraya Layout in Ullal near Kengeri here, as they brave one of the worst summers.
Ten years since the layout’s formation, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has not provided water connectivity to residents and site owners, despite promising to do so before the properties were purchased.
After disruption of work last month, the BDA and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials on Monday had begun work to complete laying of pipes to provide water for the layout. However, work was stopped on Tuesday, as two locals, Chikkanna and Venkatesh, claimed ownership of the road where the work was on.
K S Hegde, AEE, BWSSB, said: “We had begun work on Monday, but a few locals disrupted the work today (Tuesday). The BDA had deposited money for various components for the project and we have no problem carrying on with the work. However, we cannot continue work on the disputed property. As soon as the BDA resolves the problem, we will resume work.”
Rightful owners
The two persons claiming ownership have alleged that the BDA had laid the road on the property it had not acquired and that they were the rightful owners of the property. It is also alleged that the scheduled property was an SC/ST grant land.
BDA executive engineer Venugopal, however, maintains: “The road has existed there for 25 years and there is no question of land belonging to anybody else. However, we have told them that we will conduct a survey and verify their claims. We will have to see the documents first.”
He further said the locals were not only claiming ownership of land, but also demanding water. “We have provisions to provide such a facility to villagers who are within the boundaries of the layout, but they are demanding similar facilities which are outside. There are no such provisions. They will have to take this up with the government,” he said.
The two residents, claiming ownership, were not available for comments.
Work on laying the pipeline to provide water as part of Cauvery IV Stage second phase was stalled just 150 metres from the layout as two organisations, Jamnalal Bajaj Seva Trust and BEL Society raised objectins over not having been compensated.
Later that month, the BDA wrote to both organisations and reached a solution. On Monday, about 50 metres of pipes were laid before the two locals disrupted the work on Tuesday.
Sir M Visvesvaraya Layout Site Allottees and Residents’ Association spokesperson D S Gowda told Deccan Herald:“We urge the authorities to resolve the issue quickly and complete the project.”
Not too far away
The irony is that they are not too far away from Malathalli lake, Ullal lake and Hosakere lake, but cannot use the water for drinking or domestic purpose.
And the borewells in the layout, unlike in many other parts of City, found water at just 350 feet. But it is not suitable for drinking or cooking because of contamination.