Dual water pipeline proposal faces technical hitches

DNA - Bangalore - Dual water pipeline proposal faces technical hitches - Daily News & Analysis

BDA had proposed to provide recycled treated water through one pipeline and fresh Cauvery water through the other to newly developed BDA layouts and the upcoming Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda Layout.

But now the road width and abruptly laid cables and pipelines are hindering the project.

BDA Commisisoner Siddhaiah said that surveys and meetings with Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage board (BWSSB) officials reveal that dual pipelines can be laid only where roads are at least 18 metres wide.

This proposal is limited to the newly developed BDA layouts like Jnanbharathi, Vishweswaraiah, Banashankari and Anjanapura. It will be introduced in the whole of Kempegowda Layout from the initial stage, to avoid technical problems at a later stage, he added.

BWSSB supplies 870 mld a day and is falling short of 30 per cent. Appreciating the proposal, a senior BDA official said that it would help meet the water scarcity. ``But, we are unable to execute the plan due to narrow congested roads. Primarily, it is difficult to dig the roads. Secondly, on one side sanitary lines are laid while on the other are water pipelines. Criss-crossing them is not possible in such narrow lanes is difficult.''

Residents say this streamlining (of 18 metres) means that residential and commercial establishments located on arterial and prime roads only will benefit. ``Why do we have to suffer due to the inadequate planning of the civic agencies? We are dependent on bore wells. The water quality and level is gradually depleting. If the government does not take quick action, the situation will get worse during summer,'' said M Rudrappa, a resident of Jnanbharathi Layout.

Most parts of the City, especially Banashankari, gets water once in two-three days and residents are compelled to depend on water tankers. ``Buying a water tanker once in three days is very expensive. The concept of dual pipelines gave a ray of hope. It seems that the government is favouring commercial establishments and upscale apartments located on main roads where the facility would be introduced.'' said S Shanthi a resident of Banashankari.