Metro re-alignment may affect water supply lines in Jayanagar

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) might have said a clear ‘no’ for a review of re-alignment near Jayadeva Hospital despite protests from residents in the area, but it may not be able to do the same in Jayanagar, where Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has raised a red flag.

BMRCL has re-aligned a small portion of RV Road-Bommasandra line (Phase-2), after which, officials said, about five pillars of RV Road terminal will come up right on top of the BWSSB distribution lines (Cauvery stages I, II and III).

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Engineer-in-chief T Venkataraju said: “No work has begun as yet. But we have communicated to them that it would be a problem if the pillars come there.”

BWSSB has sought a meeting on Monday but it might be postponed by a day or two given that the official concerned at BMRCL (chief engineer) is out of station.

He said BMRCL has agreed to have a joint survey conducted before initiation of work. “After the survey, we will see if they can change the alignment or we could make alternative arrangements,” he said.

Officials, however, said the lines supply water to the City and relocation of the lines is near impossible. Another official, while pointing out that water from the three stages is pumped from Torekadinahalli on Kanakapura Road to these lines, said: “It is from here that water is routed to the reservoirs of the areas concerned.”

Sources in BMRCL said re-alignment was done at the behest of the residents who wanted to save trees and properties. BWSSB’s fear is that the piling, which, for a project like Metro requires a foundation that goes at least 25 metre deep, might affect the water lines.