The mindless acts of the city corporation as part of its road widening project is against all norms and may prove to be a big health hazard in the long run, say the citizens.

Road widening and other developmental works are being carried out in the city under the Rs 100-crore special package. The corporation, like in many areas, has demolished encroachments and felled a number of trees in Cowl Bazaar area for road widening work.

The road is being widened from TB Sanitorium to First Railway Gate via Cowl Bazaar.

The authorities have taken up the work of laying new under-ground drainage (UGD) and new water supply pipelines.

The pipeline laying work has raised health concern, since the water supply pipes have gone through drainage chamber at some places.

Both the UGD and water pipes have been laid side by side breaking all norms at some other places in the area.Citizens of the area are expressing fear that this sort of water supply network may prove a big source for diseases in the long run. The area will become highly prone to the spread of water borne diseases, they said.

Lack of coordination and planning between the corporation officials and the contractors has drawn flak from all quarters.

Environmentalist and convener of 'Parisar Mitra' Potnal Babu and Prof P Sathynarayan Rao (retd), have raised the issue with the authorities concerned and urged them to rectify the unscientific way of laying water pipelines.

"It is a matter of great concern.

Even if the water gets contaminated at one point, all other areas that get water from the network of pipelines will be affected," they said.Officials claim that the road had occupied more space in some parts of the area leaving very less space for laying water pipes.

Local citizens are demanding that pipelines be laid with comfortable distance from the drainage pipes and outside the drainage chamber.

The authorities of the corporation, including the District Health Officer, have finally woken up and inspected the spot of concern on Sunday.

Speaking to Express, mayor K Basavaraj said that he would inspect the spot and take measures set the things right.

Officials claim, that the road has occupied more space, in some parts of that area leaving very small space for laying pipes, bringing them closer to each other.

Residents have stressed that pipelines be laid properly with comfortable distance to each other and outside the drainage chamber.