BENGALURU: BBMP councillors on Tuesday came down hard on BWSSB officials for the erratic drinking water supply in the city, and charged them with failing to do their duty.
At meeting of the BBMP Council attended by the commissioners of the civic body and BWSSB, they accused valvemen and other employees of playing “water politics”.
The meeting, scheduled for 10 am, started an hour late, and ruling party leader N R Ramesh objected to BWSSB commissioner Anjum Parvez coming in late at 11.30 am.
Kachakarahalli ward councillor Padmanabha Reddy said in some wards, water is supplied only once or twice a week, but in some others it is supplied thrice a week.
“BWSSB officials and valvemen are responsible for this. More water is supplied to some apartments while some do not get water at all, thanks to the water politics. Are they BWSSB employees or politicians?” he asked.
Echoing this, Vijayanagar ward BJP councillor Ravindra said, “Valvemen are blocking water supply to particular areas and diverting it to other areas. They are nothing but water thieves.”
Condemning the lethargic attitude of BWSSB officials, Gali Anjaneya Temple ward councillor B S Anand said, “More than a councillor, I have become a valve man. I have to open the tap, but wait for an hour (for water).”
Adugodi ward Congress councillor Murgesh Mudhaliar said people call them day and night for any water problems in their area. “They even come and stand outside our house. Our term as councillor is getting over. I shall give your cell number to them. You should also feel the public’s wrath,” he told the BWSSB commissioner.
JD(S) councillor Thimmegowda blamed BWSSB engineers for not repairing borewells. “They (engineers) come only if the motor of the borewell is burnt, but not for minor problems like water leakage,” he said.