The Deccan Chronicle 24.09.2009

City to be ‘drained’ of sewage

Bengaluru, Sept. 23: The city administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the mega Rs 450 crore project to make stormwater drains in the city sewage-free is completed without a hitch. Those who connect their sewage lines to stormwater drains will be served a notice from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the water supply might even get disconnected, says Katta Subramanya Naidu, BWSSB minister.

A private agency has been entrusted the task of surveying the stormwater and sewage drains in the city. After the report is submitted, an integrated plan to make all the stormwater drains in the city free of sewage will be prepared.

“Encroachments will also be demolished. We will acquire 15 feet of land on either side of the stormwater drain and create feeder and lateral lines for the sewage lines,” said Mr Naidu.

Tenders have been invited for a project worth Rs 900 crore to set up ground water recharge structures and sewage treatment plants three kilometre apart along open stormwater drains. The treated water will be supplied to tanks for secondary use, Mr Naidu added. A team of officials will visit Mumbai on Sunday to study sewage treatment plants there before implementing the plan in the city, he said.

Another Rs 40 crore pilot project to make zero sewage stormwater drains a reality has already been approved by BWSSB and will be taken up in Hebbal.