Bengaluru: It has been 10 days, and no water to cook, clean or carry out daily chores for the residents of Benson Town. Private water tankers, taking advantage of the situation, are fleecing the residents.
“We don’t have water to even brush our teeth. We used bottled water for cooking and drinking, but shops nearby are running out of stocks. Water tanker owners too have jacked up the price and are charging Rs 1,000 for a tanker, when the normal rate is around Rs 700- 800,” said Mr Joel Samuel, Secretary, Benson Town Residents’ Welfare Association.
The residents also don’t know where the tankers are sourcing the water from and whether it is hygienic. But they don’t have a choice. “I have never seen a crisis like this in last 35 years. I understand BWSSB is facing issues, but it should not take 10 days to fix them. I may have to sue them if I fall sick,” said S.D. Bhaskar, an engineer.
The corporator was unmoved by their pleas. “Three days turned to six and six turned to nine, still no water. They keep updating us, but that does no good. What is the point of engineers, if they can’t even provide water,” asked Mr Samuel.
“I went to the BWSSB office and they said it will take another 15 days! What will we do till then,” asked Mr Bhaskar.
She managed with rainwater
Lahiri, another resident of Benson Town, has managed to scrape through this troubled time as she had harvested rainwater. “The water has been out for more than a week but I usually save rainwater so it hasn’t been as hard for me. I’ve been using my harvested water.”
