Water pipeline work severely affects people

The digging of Basavanahalli Main Road in Chikkamagaluru to lay drinking water pipeline has severely affected the movement of motorists and pedestrians.

Commuting on the pothole-ridden road with dust rising from it has not only inconvenienced vehicle owners but also people, particularly children and senior citizens.

The work has been taken up under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) scheme to supply 24X7 water to the residents.

The main pipeline will pass through Basavanahalli Main Road and the work on laying pipelines is in progress.

The digging of the road has also damaged Underground Drainage (UGD) connections at some places and has aggravated the dust problem.

Owing to the heaps of soil dumped on the road, many people are not in a position to bring out their vehicles parked inside their houses

Anantharamu, a resident, said, “The road digging work has damaged the UGD connections of my house. Now, I have spent Rs 6,000 to lay new PVC pipe. No one has the time to listen to our woes.”

Following the work, only one side of the road is open for the movement of vehicles and this is leading to traffic congestion.

Another resident Venugopal said, “We were not informed about the work being undertaken and have no knowledge when it will be completed. The movement of vehicles at night is difficult. No ‘work in progress’ board has been placed at the site.”

The roads in several places in Chikkamagaluru have been dug for laying of the pipes. At a few places, the existing pipelines have been damaged, resulting in water wastage.

Ward member T Rajashekar said, “The main pipeline is being laid from Shankara Mutt to Hanumanthappa Circle. The work will be completed in another four to five days.”

Potholes on the stretch will be filled and the repair work will be accelerated, he added.