Water, drain projects for newly added villages

With the government agreeing to share costs of its key projects, the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has got its due from the state budget.

However, the BWSSB’s challenge lies in arranging its share of the costs for the projects, which include the setting up a water supply and sewerage network in 110 villages and at least 10 sewage treatment plants (STPs).

The budget approved the water supply and underground drainage project for 110 villages coming under BBMP at a cost of Rs 5,018 crore, which would be funded by JICA. It means, the state government would provide Rs 376.37 crore, which is 7.5% of the total cost. While, Rs 4,265.62 crore (85%) would be paid by JICA, the BWSSB will have to provide Rs 376.37.

Besides, the state budget would provide 25% assistance (Rs 355.50 crore) of the total cost required to set up five of the 10 proposed STPs. The five STPs will come up at Vrushabhavathi Valley, Hebbal, Koramangala, Challaghatta and Doddabele.

The remaining five STPs, which are proposed under the AMRUT Scheme with a state’s share of 20%, would come up in Hulimavu, Begur, Sarakki and Agara lakes and at KR Puram.

Keeping the Cauvery V Stage project in mind, the state government has allotted Rs 160.33 crore to extend the additional untreated water transfer pipeline between Forbes Sagar (Cauvery river basin) and NBR to Torekadanahalli. Retired BWSSB engineer M N Thippeswamy felt the budget had nothing new for the BWSSB.

Set right system

“Before investing on STPs, the board must set right the sewage conveyance system, which is in a bad shape. The wastewater flows into almost all the strom water drains and not even half of the City’s sewage reaches the existing STPs,” he said, and added that completing the water supply and underground drainage project in 110 villages would take at least eight years.