BANGALORE: Residents of areas newly-added to BBMP looking forward to Cauvery water flowing from their taps are in for a shock.

The Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board (BWSSB) launched Sajala, a special drive to issue new connections on the outskirts of Bangalore as the Cauvery drinking water scheme Stage IV Phase II will be ready soon.

It had announced that those who want new water connections have to pay Rs 100. But residents of Ramamurthynagar who went to apply for new connections were stunned when water board officials said they had to pay between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 depending on the plot size and a fine up to Rs 3,000.

"For houses built on 1,200 sqft, officials asked us to pay Rs 5000 and for sites of larger dimensions, the charges are up to Rs 10,000. We were also asked to pay fines ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000. We're ready to pay but when BWSSB is giving us water now, why should we cough up a fine?" asked AV Shama Rao, president, Ramamurthynagar Welfare Association.

When TOI checked with BWSSB about their complaints, officials claimed that the amount being demanded is legitimate. They said BWSSB floated a Greater Bangalore Water Supply and Sanitation Project (GBWSSP) in 2005 to supply water to more areas. The project would ensure remodeling of the sanitary and water supply infrastructure as existing pipelines were of a smaller diameter.

GBWSSP required residents to pay pro-rata charges for water supply and sanitary connections as a one-time payment. BWSSB officials said residents of these areas had been told to make these payments. They said BWSSB had invited residents to make security deposits for new connections. Most residents didn't pay these deposits and that's what they're being asked to do now, they explained.

BWSSB officials said that the amount can be paid in installments.

Pro-rata charges

* GBWSSP pro-rata charges for water supply connections are Rs 150 per sq metre for bungalows and Rs 250 per sq metre for residential apartments

* Sanitary connection charges start at Rs 120 per point, but not more than Rs 600

* Inspection fee is Rs 250 per residential building and Rs 2500 per residential apartment