The Hindu             19.07.2013

NOC to apartments linked to water source

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said no objection certificate (NOC) would be issued only to those high-rise buildings and apartments which have enough water supply sources.

Mr. Siddaramaiah informed the Legislative Council that he would issue directions to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) immediately in this regard. He was responding to a question on availability of water in apartments in Bangalore raised by M. Srinivas (Janata Dal-Secular) during Question Hour.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said during the last three years, the BBMP had permitted construction of 2,553 apartments housing 26,342 flats. He said BWSSB has to issue NOC after the builder fulfils 24 conditions, including sewage treatment plant for apartments comprising more than 100 housing units and rainwater harvesting for all apartments.

Mr. Srinivas said the 24 conditions, instead of helping the residents, had become money-making avenues for the officials. Not many apartments had installed RWH, he said.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the B.N. Thyagaraja expert committee had submitted a report on the demand and availability of water for Bangalore between 2021 and 2050.

The committee had recommended drawing of 12.8 tmcft of water from the Cauvery; to save 4 tmcft water by reducing wastage; diversion of 10 tmcft from Konganahaole and Kakkathuhole to KRS and drawing about 500 MLD water to Bangalore; diversion of about 100 to 250 MLD of treated effluent from Vrishabhavati valley to the catchment area of Tippagondanahalli and diversion of 5 tmcft of water from Hemavathi reservoir to T.G. Halli catchment.