The Hindu 24.05.2013
Pumping restored, but most areas in Bangalore yet to get usual supply
All pumps are switched on, but pressure is still low: BWSSB
Although Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials claimed that normal pumping of water from Thorekadanahalli, Harohalli and Tataguni reservoirs had resumed, residents of most areas are yet to get regular supply.
Residents in east Bangalore, especially Pillanna Garden, HRBR Layout, Banaswadi, Hennur and surrounding areas, where water scarcity is a perennial problem, said they had not received water for the last five supply days. The supply here is mostly once in four days and that too for not more than two hours. Besides, the pressure is also very low, said a resident.
No water
Supply was hit in the last two days in areas such as Padmanabhanagar and Banashankari that were getting their regular quota even during the crisis.
“During the crisis we [willingly] gave water from our underground sump to whoever came to us from the neighbouring slums. But in the last two days we have not got any water,” said M. Madhu from Padmanabhanagar.
Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, which had stopped 15 of the total 60 motors after the level in Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) plummeted, resumed pumping from all motors on Tuesday. “In the last few days we were drawing only 835 million litres of water per day (mld) although the requirement was 1,150 mld because we did not have the required 600 cusecs at the Shiva Balancing Reservoir (SBR).
Following the release of water from KRS and Hemavathi river and the gradual increase in the water level, we have resumed pumping 1,150 mld from Tuesday,” a top BWSSB official said.
Another day
It would take another day’s supply for the problem to be mitigated across the city.
“The pressure is low because water is being supplied to several areas simultaneously. Besides, we have reduced the duration of supply to ensure that all such areas scheduled to get water on Thursday are covered,” the official added.
