BANGALORE: Urban Development and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar said he would meet the BBMP officials to draw up a blueprint for water supply across the city. Addressing a conference on Bangalore’s Water Famine 2020, here on Sunday, he said, “Many people waste water in household chores and factories.
While we are trying to channelise water through various means, it is time citizens became more responsible.” Regarding the lack of coordination between BWSSB and BBMP, he said, “This question arises every time there is a problem. We have now formed a co-ordination committee that will be headed by the additional chief secretary and the committee will hold a meeting every 15 days.” “I will be holding a meeting with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to devise a blueprint of water distribution across the city.
The problems have remained the same - less water pressure, gradient, head is absent etc, and will be addressed. We have also spoken to the electricity department regarding the power fluctuation and hope to solve all water related problems by 2014,” Suresh Kumar said. “A few officials have brought up concerns related to privatisation of BWSSB.
Drinking water is a fundamental need, not a product to be sold. We have strictly decided to say no to privatisation. Only the government and the board have the power to decide tariffs and identify and remove illegal connections,” he said.
The conference concluded with plans to solve leakage loss, restore important lakes to supplement water supply, control pollution of lakes, restore storm water drains, efficient maintenance of piping system and re-use of rain water. The conference was organised by the Centre for Policies and Practices (CPP) in co-ordination with the Bangalore Environment Trust.