BANGALORE: Hebbal is one of the few wards of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to have the privilege of asphalted roads. Although BBMP authorities have made efforts to supply borwell water on regular basis there are few areas such as 5th Cross, 3rd Main Road, Gundappa Reddy Layout, Cholanayakanahalli and Seethappa Layout where the residents are facing a lot of problems due to acute shortage of water.
“Generally, we get water on alternate days. There were occasions when drinking water was supplied once in 20 days. This have opened gateways for private water suppliers to exploit the residents. They collect `500 per water tank,’’ says Krishnappa, a resident of 5th Cross, Hebbal. Areas such as Hebbala, Kunti Betta, Cholanagar, Amarjyothi Layout, Chowdaiah Block, Anandnagar Colony, UAS Quarters, MSH Layout, Anandnagar are the important areas of the Hebbal Ward.
The BBMP authorities have even ignored to take up measures to remove the defunct hand pumps of borewells. They are yet to fix a water pump to a borewell dug up on Police Station Road. The residents complain that the borewells were dug up without conducting the yield test. “For the last few months, I have been requesting the BBMP authorities to remove the defunct hand pump of the borewell. They fix the hand pump just to claim the bill amount without bothering whether the borewell yielded any water or not,’’ said M A Nalini, a resident.
The BBMP had sanctioned `3 crore in the year 2010-11 to take up various development works in Hebbal Ward. Corporator Jayappa Reddy claims that last year many footpaths were developed and roads asphalted. Reddy says that he had a plan to construct an overhead water tank for the benefit of residents but politics played a spoilsport. “It has become difficult for me to take up development works due to petty politics. There are a few politicians and acolytes whose aim is to oppose in every development work I take up,’’ rues the corporator.
The BBMP had sanctioned eight borewells for Hebbal Ward to mitigate water woes. However, the contractor was able to dig four borewells, of these, only one is equipped with the motor pump and the remaining three are idle. “I have already directed the BBMP engineer to take up measures to equip the borewells with motor pumps,’’ says the Corporator. He went on to add that the BBMP has a plan to
construct a hospital at Gudadalli on a three-acre land near Gudadalli
shortlly. The Corporator concludes saying,“The BBMP has allotted `4 crore for various development works for the year 2011-12. Roads will be asphalted at Police quarters and drains will be strengthened wherever it is necessary.”