BENGALURU: Alarmed by the drilling of a borewell next to a public one that catered to hundreds of people in Ambedkar Nagar in Whitefield, residents united to put an end to the drilling process.
The borewell was being dug by a builder from Andhra Pradesh who is constructing a paying guest (PG) accommodation. Though the builder obtained permission from the Karnataka Ground Water Authority (KGWA) to drill a borewell, residents argued that the motive is solely commercial and is next to a public borewell that caters to the water needs of hundreds of residents.
Madhusudhan H, a resident said there is a public borewell that was recently serviced, and if a new borewell for the private building is permitted, the public will suffer. “Hence, we are forced to protest, and we urge the police to take steps. The owner showed us the permission he obtained from KGWA two days ago, but how can officials be insensitive?
When the city is reeling under a water crisis and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has already issued orders that no borewells can be drilled, KGWA is giving permission. The owner did not know that if there are objections from the local residents, then the permission would be cancelled,” said Madhusudhan.
Slamming the KGWA, Sandeep Anirudhan, coordinator - Subcommittee - Illegalities and Violations, Whitefield Citizens Ward Committees, said, “This is a notified area; hence, no permission can be granted for any purpose other than the drilling of public borewells. In extreme cases, for domestic use. But this area has Cauvery pipeline connections, so permission cannot be granted for borewell drilling. This is a construction site, which is why water will be used for construction, which is banned. Finally, the building is a commercial PG construction; hence, it is absolutely not allowed.”
“There are five public borewells in Ambedkar Nagar and four of them have gone dry due to overexploitation by PG builders. Now this is the last remaining functioning public borewell. There has been no Cauvery supply for more than a year, and the entire layout is dependent on this one public borewell. If this PG builder drills his borewell next to it, then this one will also dry up. That is why the public is so agitated. Some of the PG builders are so reckless and irresponsible. It is time there is a mass movement against such things,” said Anirudhan.