The Hindu 02.03.2015
‘Water mafia’ gets busy in new BBMP areas as summer approaches
Parallel water supply system right under BWSSB’s nose
As summer approaches, water has already become a scarce
commodity in most new areas in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)
limits.
With underground water being the only source
for residents of newly added areas (the erstwhile seven city municipal
councils, one town municipal council and 110 villages that were added to
the BBMP limits), a parallel water supply system is working right under
the nose of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
Exploiting
the situation and forcing residents to pay through their nose is a
“water mafia” that also involves local politicians and valvemen.
Residents who own borewells and erstwhile city municipal council
valvemen are making hay. This network is well established, for example,
in Hongasandra and Begur wards.
Residents here can get regular piped water from both private and community borewells if they are ready to pay.
In
New Mico Layout, borewell owners have drawn pipelines from the borewell
point to houses. These lines crisscross open drainages and storm-water
drains. In some places, they even run along drains, leaving enough scope
for water contamination.
This apart, valvemen,
allegedly in connivance with local politicians, have drawn a similar
pipeline network from community borewell points to houses. Although
these are community borewells and are meant for free supply, the
valvemen collect charges from each house. A source alleged that a part
of this money goes to the local politician.
Madhu, a
valveman who manages the supply in New Mico Layout, said it was a
regular supply for two to three hours in each area. He said there was no
fixed charge and residents usually pay him between Rs. 50 and Rs. 100 a
month.
C. Siddaiah, a resident of 16th Main ‘B’
Cross in this area, said this system ensured that residents had a
regular supply. “Otherwise we have to pay heavy amounts for tanker
water,” he said.
A senior BWSSB
official said, “We have not got any complaints from people about being
fleeced by valvemen. If there is any specific complaint, we will take
action.”
