The residents of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) layout, which includes Kalappa and Muniswamappa layout are paying Rs 85, a minimum water bill, without even drawing a single drop of water supplied by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
Adding to their woes, residents of Anandpuram and Sudamanagar slums are illegally sucking water using motors.
Earlier, residents were supplied with water on alternative days, but now the residents are facing irregular water supply.
When City Express visited the BDA Layout, over 8,000 residents were getting water only three days a month! In the month of August, they received BWSSB water for only three days (August 1st, 19th and 21st).
The problem has become unendurable for the families for the past two years. Water sumps have dried up.
Most houses in the area have open wells but many have dried up. Moreover, in the rainy season, sewage water often seeps into the regular water supply.
Though the residents have complained to the BWSSB officials, no action has been taken yet.
Wearied with the water crisis, the residents have taken to private tankers, who charge Rs 200 per 1000 litres.
“It is a terrible time for BDA layout residents. The entire area is facing irregular water supply for the past two years.
But we are getting our water bills promptly every month and the bill is often issued for utilising 1,000 litres of water! How can the BWSSB officials harass us like this?” asked Varadaraj, a resident of BDA Layout.
“More than 20 private water vendors are operating here, demanding huge amounts but since we have no option, we have to pay,” he added.
Another resident stated, “Some of the surrounding slums are sucking water using motors, which is affecting us.
I also think that the BWSSB officials and the private tanker vendors are hand-in-glove.
I request the BWSSB authorities to look into the problem at the earliest.
They are least bothered about public problems.
The BWSSB higher officials should take note of this and initiate some immediate action.
” Azmath Ullah Khan, a Businessman and a resident of Muniswamappa layout questions, “ If the surrounding areas are getting water, why aren’t we?” He added, “We do not draw a single drop of water for as much as seven days.
Also, we are forced to invest about Rs 3000 for water every month.
” When City Express took up the issue with BWSSB Engineer-in-chief T Venkatraju, he accepted that the area residents are in trouble due to the illegal sucking of water using motors by resident of Anandpuram and Sudamanagar slums. While it is estimated that there are more than 350 houses in the locality, he maintained that there is variation in water supply only in about 30 houses.
“There is a problem in the water supplied to them.
Most of their share of water is sucked by illegal motors in the slums.
The situation will improve once Cauvery IV Stage, II Phase is commissioned.
” Chandrappa Reddy, Corporator of BDA Layout was not available for comments.