Bengaluru: Brace for water shortage this summer. BWSSB chairman Tushar Girinath had hinted at water crisis between January and May, though he claimed that efforts are on to mitigate the problems.
Addressing the BBMP council’s special meeting on Friday to discuss the impending water woes during the summer, Mr Tushar broke the silence and said the water problem would persist until next monsoon from January. However, the BWSSB is gearing up to alleviate water crisis by resorting to certain alternatives.
Cutting across party lines, corporators highlighted the possible problems that would encounter during the coming summer and demanded solution to provide drinking water to citizens. In reply, Mr Tushar revealed that BWSSB pumps 1,350 Millions of Liters Per Day (MLD) of water from Tataguni pumping station, of which 15 MLD is supplied to Bidadi and Kanakapura. Yet, there is shortage of 55 MLD in the city, he said.
Mr Tushar pointed out that the recent monsoon during the months of September and October was very poor leading to low storage. This has led to possible problem between January and May next year. However, he assured that alternatives will be explored and urged all the corporators to create awareness among the public about the possible problems and to conserve water.
Currently as many as 7,920 borewells are under BWSSB’s control. Many of them are defunct while some require repairs. The list of defunct borewells are being prepared and would be repaired by January next and get water, he said.
Water for new localities
In an attempt to ensure that 110 villages that merged with BBMP a decade ago do not go parched, the BWSSB has planned to save unaccounted water (leakage) and supply the same. Work on the same will begin from Mid February, 2017, Mr Tushar said. Work on Unaccounted for Water has been entrusted to two agencies to prevent leakage. Of which one is completed, another one will be completed by December. The deadline for completion of the third project is May 2017. This will address the issue of shortage, he said.
Directive
Mr Tushar said an order has been issued to all Assistant Engineers, Executive Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineers to be present in officer everyday between 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. They are stationed to answer the queries of public and elected representatives. Complaints can be lodged if they are not available at office, he said.
Deadline for STPs
He said that the BWSSB is likely to extend the deadline till June for installation of Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) on the premises of small apartment units.
He told corporators that his predecessor T.M. Vijay Bhaskar had in January 2016 proposed to make setting up STP plants at apartments with 20 flats mandatory.
However, some had raised objection citing lack of space. BWSSB has proposed the state government to relax the rule till next June and it is likely to be considered, he said.
