The Hindu 15.11.2011
GMC’s tough stand on water connections irks builders
Most of the apartments in Guntur are now dependent on tankers
Water tankers being used to fill the sumps in apartments in Krishna Nagar in Guntur — Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar
The cup of woes for the residents who have preferred the
safety of apartments in recent months is getting fuller. Most of these
apartments are now without water and are dependant on water tankers. The
Guntur Municipal Corporation, which has been clearing the building
plans in a jiffy for some months, is accused by builders of being
tightfisted when it comes to providing water connection.
“There
are 60 to 70 apartments, which are without water connection. We are
getting tired of making rounds to the GMC’s office to get things done.
We will soon meet the Commissioner and submit a written memorandum,”
says Kolla Syam, secretary of Builders’ Welfare Association. The
apartments, which have come up recently at Krishna Nagar, Chandramouli
Nagar, Vidya Nagar Extension Colony, S.V.N. Colony, and Gujjangundla
have been the worst hit.
The GMC collects Rs.47,200
per connection which could meet the requirements of 16 flats. If an
apartment has more than 16 flats, the builder has to apply for another
connection.
Latest guidelines
“We
are depending on tankers to meet our requirements. Borewells too are
not working as groundwater levels in most areas have been plummeting,”
says Sd. Nyub Kamal, a resident of Krishna Nagar. Each tanker costs
Rs.750 forcing flat owners to foot the monthly water bills in addition
to the half-yearly water tax. But money is not the issue here as
builders are concerned with the latest guidelines which make it
mandatory for all apartments to have an Occupancy Certificate (OC) to
apply for a water connection under the guidelines as per the G.O. Ms.
No. 678.
“There are many builders who have not
submitted OCs issued by the Town Planning Department,” says Executive
Engineer, GMC, Surendra. Issuance of OC has placed the onus on builders
to construct the building as per the revised building regulations.
The GMC officials also aver that water connections will not be given
for those residential owners who have not applied for the Building
Penalisation Scheme (BPS).
GMC collects Rs.47,200 per connection
Borewells are not working in most of areas, says a resident
