Bangalore Water Supply

Water crisis looms large over Bangalore this summer too - Bangalore - DNA

2010-09-06T17:22:00.000+05:30

Water crisis looms large over Bangalore this summer too - Bangalore - DNA

Water crisis looms large over Bangalore this summer too
Published: Friday, Apr 2, 2010, 16:05 IST
Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

The newly elected corporators, whose names will be known on Monday, will have a tough task on hand after they assume office. They will face the wrath ofpeople if they don’t take steps to avert the water crisis looming large in Bangalore. The problem will be more acute in the newly added areas of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

There is no solution on the horizon but the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has drawn up a contingency plan to mitigate the problem and ensure equitable distribution of water.

Detailing the plan for the summer, a senior BWSSB official stated that tankers would be used to supply water to the areas where the problem was critical. The assurance of water supply, however, comes with a rider:“only to critical areas”.

“We cannot supply tanker water to all the areas as the available quantity is limited,” he clarified.

Even this supply will depend on the tankers available with the BWSSB as the private players are yet to be involved. “After the code of conduct (till Monday) is relaxed, tenders will be called to supply water through tankers. Private players can participate in the bid,” he said, adding that junior engineers have been assigned to identify critical areas where borewells have dried up.

Besides, the BWSSB official said that the engineers have been asked to attend to consumers’ complaints from 6am to 8am during summer. “They will be stationed at the service stations during the morning to attend to the problems of consumers,” the official said.

BWSSB minister Katta Subramanya Naidu has also instructed that tankers be kept ready to supply water to the affected areas as and when required. The minister also instructed the board officials to inspect and repair the pipes connected to faulty borewells.

Bangalore faces a shortage of 410 mld (milling litres daily). The demand is 1,219 mld and the city is getting a supply of only 870 mld of water.

IVRCL Obtains Orders For Rs.868 Cr.

2010-09-06T17:21:00.000+05:30

IVRCL Obtains Orders For Rs.868 Cr.

IVRCL Obtains Orders For Rs.868 Cr.
3/29/2010 1:42 AM ET
RELATED NEWS
IVRCL Infra Q1 Net Drops

(RTTNews) - IVRCL Infrastructures & Projects said that the company obtained orders for Rs.867.57 crore. The first order is for extension, renovation and modernization of Eastern Kosi Canal system including settling basin, repairing and construction of building airport. The order is from Office of Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department, Birpur, Bihar. The work will be completed by March 31, 2012.

The second order is for MADAM Master balancing reservoir and allied works of Hogenakkal Water supply and Flurosis Mitigation project from Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage board. The order is to be completed in 30 months.

The third order is from Bangalore Water supply and sewerage board for Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage project -II contract I for Raw Water transmission system. The project is to be completed in 24 months.

The fourth order is for providing sewerage system to erstwhile Bommanahalli CMC areas ( zone 4E and zone 4F) under KMRP from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board. The total completion period for zone 4E is 36 months and zone 4F is 24 months.

Click here to receive FREE breaking news email alerts for IVRCL Infrastructures & Projects and others in your portfolio

by RTT Staff Writer

One number to end all civic problems | | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T17:19:00.001+05:30

One number to end all civic problems | | | Indian Express

One number to end all civic problems

NR Madhusudhan First Published : 22 Mar 2010 06:31:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 22 Mar 2010 08:56:48 AM IST
BANGALORE: The city corporation, water supply board and electricity board are considering forming a common helpline to attend to grievances of citizens.
In a recently held meeting, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner Bharat Lal Meena, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board chairman PB Ramamurthy and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) director Tushar Girinath declared their intention in this regard. They are discussing the possibility of extending the BBMP call centre and making its present helpline number (22660000) attend to complaints regarding BWSSB and Bescom as well.
“We are still in the initial stages of planning. We are exploring various means to minimise hassles for citizens and ensure speedy redressal of their problems,” an official source said.
Bangaloreans could use the common helpline to register complaints on roads, health, illegal constructions, tax, water supply, sewage, drains and electricity. The employees at the call centre will divert the complaint to the concerned official, who will have to attend to it within a stipulated time. The official will also have to inform their superiors or the helpline about the remedial action taken through email every evening.
BBMP has already provided wireless instruments to its employees to enable them to know the complaints and to address them at the earliest.

NETWORKING SOLUTIONS
* The heads of BBMP, BWSSB and Bescom plan a common helpline.
* The BBMP call centre planned to be made the common helpline.
* The helpline (22660000) will apply for BWSSB and Bescom as well.
* The plan is aimed at speedy redressal of grievances of citizens.
* Queries on roads, health, tax, water, etc. will be addressed.
* The call centre employee will divert complaint for the concerned official.

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Precious drops

2010-09-06T17:19:00.000+05:30

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Precious drops

Precious drops

MARIANNE DE NAZARETH

WORLD WATER DAY - If we do not take conservation of water seriously, we are likely to have a dry future
How often have you walked down a road and seen a pipe with fresh water bubbling up and flowing down into a drain? It is a common place occurrence, but how many of us will take the trouble of calling the BWSSB and informing them of the leak? Bangalore has the dubious distinction of being one of the primary cities in the country for wasting fresh water.

Population growth, climate change, pollution, and careless management of this scarce commodity is the cause of this escalating problem. On the occasion of World Water Day today, nd and with a hot and difficult summer looming ahead, it's time we took water conservation seriously. Waste water from sinks, showers, toilets according to figures off the BWSSB website equal the three stages of the Cauvery water projects.

This is a mind boggling and frightening scenario.

Shivkumar from the Karnataka Council for Science and Technology says: “Bangalore has a peculiar problem. Water has to be pumped 95 kms from the river Cauvery to the city and up the gradient of 500 metres. This is why 300 crores of the BWSSB funds go on electricity to pump this water. However, Bangalore is lucky to have a natural undulating gradient to be able to collect rainwater and we do have good showers periodically. So instead of planning mega projects it's better to conserve ground water and harvest rain water for the city. There is a 41 per cent loss of fresh water and we do not know where it goes, 16 per cent is the water supplied in unmetered water fountains across the city, so 57 per cent is a very large figure of unaccounted water loss. The water pipes in the city are over 100 years old and with road expansion, they are now almost in the middle of the road. Huge amounts of money will be required to change the entire piping system. Some sort of accountability is being brought in by the BWSSB Chairman in each locality.”

The Director of the India Water Portal, Vijay Krishna says that on the occasion of World Water Day or any day, as citizens we have to make sure that regulations concerning rainwater harvesting are taken seriously.

“We have all taken fresh water supplies for granted and we need to plug leaks and conserve water seriously today. The Cauvery Water supply is in its fourth stage. There is no more water left to tap and Bangalore cannot sustain this huge growth in population. Large companies must also look at waste water treatment where waste water can be used for flushing, cleaning and use outside in the garden, rather than using fresh water supplies.”

Explaining the new system which the BWSSB has come out with where the engineer of every layout is responsible for the outflow of water, Shivkumar says, “There are meters in individual homes, but there are also meters attached for bulk supply so the inflow and outflow is being monitored. Plugging of leaks is taken seriously and hopefully with citizen participation and awareness, fresh water is being carefully used.”

Both officials warn that if the citizens of Bangalore do not take cognizance of the problem of pressure on fresh water supplies and help themselves with rain water harvesting, Bangalore is heading for a massive problem with regard to lack of fresh water in real time, today, now, and not in 2015.

Tighten those taps, check leaks , have bucket baths and avoid hosing down your cars and lawns from today onwards. Check out http://www.bwssb.org/water_conservation.html to see the various methods of conservation of water that the BWSSB suggests.

Keywords: World Water Day, water conservation, environmental issues

Rs 49 cr to solve water crisis | | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T17:18:00.000+05:30

Rs 49 cr to solve water crisis | | | Indian Express

Rs 49 cr to solve water crisis

Express News Service First Published : 18 Mar 2010 05:09:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 18 Mar 2010 06:34:24 AM IST
BANGALORE: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RDPR) Minister, Jagadish Shettar, on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that Rs 49.2 crore had been released to solve the problem of drinking water shortage.
The money was released to the task forces headed by MLAs, he said.
Replying to a question raised by JD(S) member, Shivalinge Gowda, during the Question Hour, the Minister said the funds released would reach local officers in a couple of days.
Shettar said that Rs 35.2 crore had been released for the task forces and Rs 14 crore to take up immediate relief measures to ensure drinking water supply in the 86 droughtprone taluks.
The Minister assured members that the government was willing to release any amount of funds to ensure drinking water supply and other relief works that needed to be taken this summer.
Govt panel to check corruption in NREGS
In an effort to prevent corruption in implementation of the NREGS the state government has decided to appoint Ombudsmen and Vigilance Squads in each district.
RDPR Minister Jagadish Shettar, informed the Assembly on Wednesday that the government had also decided to order for a social audit to ensure proper implementation of the scheme.
Jagadish Shettar said that action had been taken against 115 officers for lapses in implementing the NREGS.

Subhash Projects Bags Two Orders

2010-09-06T17:17:00.000+05:30

Subhash Projects Bags Two Orders

Subhash Projects Bags Two Orders
3/17/2010 2:15 AM ET
(RTTNews) - Subhash Projects & Marketing said that it received two orders. The first one is a turnkey project from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Bangalore for Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Project (II) - Contract W3 - Civil and Electromechanical Works for pumping stations and reservoirs at T.K Halli, Harohalli and Tataguni under JICA Loan - ID-P165. The project is valued at Rs.439.35 crore and is secured in joint venture with Kirloskar Brothers Limited. The second one is from Delhi Jal Board, New Delhi for replacement of existing Jal Vihar and Kailash mains from Rajib Gandhi Smriti Van to Jal Vihar and Kailash reservoirs respectively. It is valued at Rs.35.99 crore.

by RTT Staff Writer

The Hindu : Front Page : Some wards in drought-prone cities now get water round the clock

2010-09-06T17:16:00.000+05:30

The Hindu : Front Page : Some wards in drought-prone cities now get water round the clock

Some wards in drought-prone cities now get water round the clock

Nagesh Prabhu
Pilot project covers 10 p.c. of population in Gulbarga, Hubli, Belgaum

THANKFUL:The World Bank-aided Rs. 237-crore project ensures water supply to at least
Bangalore: For the residents of some of the poorest slums in Gulbarga, Hubli-Dharwad and Belgaum — three of Karnataka's most drought-prone cities — street-side quarrels, long water-queues, the spread of water-borne diseases and even absenteeism among schoolchildren were common enough occurrences, the social outcome of an abysmal shortage of drinking water. Water was made available once in three to five days. And, only affluent localities benefited. Till last year, when a World Bank-aided pilot project actually made drinking water shortages a thing of the past in a few select wards of each city. Today, in summer, drinking water is available round the clock there.

The Rs. 237-crore project has provided water to at least 25,000 households in these cities through an efficient distribution system.

Water supply in Belgaum, Gulbarga and Hubli-Dharwad has gone up by 27 MLD (million litres a day), 30 MLD and two MLD respectively, from 2008. Leakage is down from 40 per cent in 2008 to seven per cent now.

The pilot project, taken up in 29 wards of the three cities by the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC), has disproved many misperceptions. One among them is that a 24 x 7 supply requires large quantities of water.

As against the expected 153 litres per capita consumption daily (lpcd) for the project, average consumption actually dropped to 100 lpcd, say bank officials, as now households no longer feel the need to store water in containers.

Arvind Shrivastava, managing director of KUIDFC, told The Hindu that the pilot project covers 10 per cent of the population. Water is now cheaper as households no longer need to pay private suppliers and incur loss of wages while waiting in queues. All connections are metered. The project safeguards the poor through cross-subsidies.

A minimum of 8,000 litres per household per month is provided at a subsidised rate of Rs. 6 per 1,000 litres for poor households (those residing in homes less than 600 sq. ft) that constitute 31 per cent of the total households, Mr. Shrivastava said.

Sumitra Subash, a resident of Gulbarga's Mehatargalli slum, said she was thankful for the 24-hour supply.

The private operator, a French water company, Veolia Water, has been entrusted with maintenance and operation of the system.

It is responsible for providing connections and billing. The actual collections remain with the civic authorities.

The private operator is linked to a performance-based contract.

The number of amoebic dysentery patients visiting two government and private hospitals in Gulbarga city declined from 720 in 2006-07 to 100 in 2009-10 (till January-end) and bacillary dysentery cases came down from 410 to 50 and jaundice from 200 to 20 during the same period.

In Gulbarga city, schools reported increased students' attendance.

While some reported an increase from 80 per cent in 2005-06 to 93 per cent in 2008-09, others reported an increase from 70 to 93 per cent during the same period.

Plumbers to popularise Rain Water Harvesting

2010-09-06T17:12:00.000+05:30

You are here: Home » City » Plumbers to popularise Rain Water Harvesting

Plumbers to popularise Rain Water Harvesting
S Lalitha, Bangalore, March 12, DH News Service:
Renewal of BWSSB plumber licences now comes with a rider. They should have installed at least ten Rain Water Harvesting Units.

Frustrated in its efforts to popularise Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) in the City, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has recently decided to crack the whip on plumbers as the deadline (March 31) for renewal of licences is fast nearing. A circular to the effect has been issued by the BWSSB chairperson Dr B Ramamurthy in the first week of February, according to a top source in the Board. The licences are renewed once every two years. “As the renewal was last done before March 31, 2008, they need to be renewed before March 2010 elapses,” he informed. The result of the new rule is is that the 600 licenced plumbers of BWSSB will now now contribute their share in spreading the RWH concept across the City. Deadline The deadline for installation of RWH structures in all new houses and those with sital dimensions of 60’ x 40’ is May 27. The BWSSB had in January this year announced an incentive of Rs 10,000 for each plumber who succeeded in installing 100 RWH structures. “This failed to generate the expected enthusiasm as plumbers kept lamenting that convincing owners of even ten houses to opt for RWH units was a tough job. This forced the department to go in for a rethink and this circular is an outcome of the process,” the source said. The Rs 10,000 incentive continues to hold good. The effect The order appears to have helped in popularising RWH. As on date (March 11), 10,351 houses including new and existing buildings, have opted for RWH. another official said. “Of these, roughly 60 per cent have been installed in new houses while 40 per cent of the units have come up on existing buildings,” he added. The number has clearly shown a surge in the last one month from 8,000 RWH units by end of January to over 10,000 now. “The change in attitude by plumbers is the main reason,” the official felt. Overall, there are 55,000 existing buildings in the City which need to install RWH and only nearly 4,000 have complied so far. “There is still a long way to go but the impact of the circular is bound to goad plumbers to achieve at least the minimum expected of them for the sake of their licences,” he said. BWSSB Plumbers Association General Secretary, Subbana said they had given an assurance to officials that each plumber would meet the ten units required of them. “This is feasible. However, installing RWH in 100 houses in three months is just impossible and that incentive is beyond our reach,” he added.

City is the second highest water waster in country

2010-09-06T17:11:00.001+05:30

City is the second highest water waster in country

Bangalore is the second highest water waster in country
Ajith Athrady, New Delhi, March 12, DH News Service:
This is one issue Bangalore cannot wash its hands of. The City has earned itself the dubious distinction of being the worst waster of precious drinking water after Delhi.

Although in the midst of a severe water crisis, 50.9 per cent of the City’s drinking water is allowed to go waste, and it is second only to Delhi which tops in the country among mega cities in wasting of water. The national capital wastes 52.4 per cent supplied to it. A study by the Union Ministry of Urban Development on sanitation as well as urban water supply situation in 28 cities across the country has revealed that only 50.8 per cent of Bangalore’s population has access to piped water supply. The rest depend on unorganised water supply sources like open wells and bore wells. Of the urban areas surveyed, seven mega cities – Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkota, Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad – are the major culprits from where there were reports of the highest quantity of water wastage – ranging from 13 per cent to 52 per cent. However, among the same cities, Mumbai has been credited with wasting the least quantity of water – 13 per cent – followed by Chennai with 17 per cent. Wasted water, or non-revenue water, is fed into the system but does not reach the consumer either due to pilferage, including leak in pipes, theft, illegal diversion or non-metering. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), the body which manages the City’s water supply, has proved its effectiveness in revenue collection as well as metering which has reached up to 97 per cent households. However, when it comes to addressing public grievances, it is attending to just 86 per cent complaints, the survey discovered. The survey also involved finding out the deficiencies of civic agencies in providing quality water to consumers as well as set right their problems, a senior Urban Development Ministry official told Deccan Herald. Bangalore is getting 900 million litres of water per day (MLD) against a demand of 1,125 MLD. In addition to this, the BWSSB’s on-going scheme to provide nearly 45,000 new water connections is indication that the demand for water is growing with every passing year. Apart from the core areas in the City’s old 100 wards, BWSSB is also supplying water to 74 newly added wards. While the supply in the core areas is once in two days, it is almost once in five days in the newly included wards.

Ready for summer wars | | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T17:11:00.000+05:30

Ready for summer wars | | | Indian Express

Ready for summer wars

Sharan Poovanna

First Published : 11 Mar 2010 05:37:00 AM IST

Last Updated : 11 Mar 2010 08:37:20 AM IST

BANGALORE: The ‘summer of discontent’ that the city has braced itself for may in reality ease a bit, with the reviving of major lakes to act as reserves for usable water.

A few good spells of rain in the city could fill the eight lakes that have been desilted by and bring relief to the people, besides helping recharge groundwater.

Attur, Alalsandra, Panathur, Arikere, Uttarahalli, Chinnappahalli, Kaikondanahalli and several other lakes have been desilted and many more will be desilted in the days to come, said BBMP officials.

“A total of 17 lakes will be desilted by BBMP and 12 by BDA,” they said. With water supply being affected, this project will ease the problems of Bangaloreans, they said.

The sewage water which enters the lakes from the inlets will now be diverted to ensure that there is only fresh water in the lakes, officials said.

“We have provided separate channels from the inlets to the outlets so that sewage does not enter the lakes,” they said.

Thus the possibility of lakes becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other waterborne diseases is eliminated, BBMP officials said.

The BBMP has recovered nearly 50 acres of encroachments on these lakes in the first phase under which 17 lakes are being revived. The recovered lands are now being properly fenced to ensure that encroachments do not take place again, they said.

BBMP authorities will partner with local resident associations to help maintain lakes which were hitherto neglected, to maintain the cleanliness and deter encroachers, they said.

The summer drill begins, News - City - Bangalore Mirror,Bangalore Mirror

2010-09-06T17:09:00.000+05:30

The summer drill begins, News - City - Bangalore Mirror,Bangalore Mirror

The summer drill begins

Hounded by residents, MLAs want the government to start drilling borewells in their constituencies quickly. It's another matter that underground water tables are receding rapidly

Niranjan Kaggere

Posted On Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 05:50:38 AM

With summer here, the clamour for water is growing louder and MLAs want the government to start drilling borewells quickly. Environmentalists, however, say that's not the best solution to the city's water problem.

A borewell being dug in
Basweshwaranagar

Deluged by complaints, MLAs representing parched constituencies on the periphery of the city that don't get water from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) say the quickest way to solve the problem is to drill borewells.

N L Narendra Babu, MLA from Mahalakshmi Layout, blames the government for the crisis. "I have been getting complaints since January. But instead of providing facilities for the existing city, the government is busy creating more and more layouts."
B N Vijaykumar, MLA from Jayanagar constituency, said, “Within core Bangalore, there is no need for borewells as we meet the demand through tap and pipeline connections. However, borewells are inevitable on the outskirts."

Stop. Wake up
Borewells, however, are only a quick-fix solution, says environmentalist Sheshadri Ramaswamy of Hasiru Usiru. “Already, the underground level is receding beyond imagination. The injudicious use of underground water all these days has brought us to this situation. We need to wake up at least now and understand the reality. If you go on extracting underground water by digging more borewells, it will lead to a worse scenario," he said.

That is what's happening. The more borewells the government plans, the deeper it needs to dig. Already, the water table in Basavanagudi and Jayanagar areas has the least depth — between 400 ft and 600 ft. The depth in most other areas is not encouraging either.

“Out of every 10 borewells dug, two or three will be duds," says C V Raman Nagar MLA S Raghu. "With time, the remaining also turn dry," he said.

Muniraju, MLA from Dasarahalli constituency, agrees. "We have more than 300 borewells but of them, around 110-120 measuring 800-900 ft are running dry already".

Wasted
Every time a borewell dries up, nearly Rs 2.5 lakh goes down the drain. “The complete cost of a borewell is close to Rs 2.5 lakh. A total of Rs 60,000 to Rs 75,000 is spent on just drilling and Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 is spent on casing pipes and the motor and the rest is spent on getting power connection or to lay an extra power cable and pipeline work,” explains Muniraju.
As a result, most MLAs are cautious about the drilling and use of borewells. "I'd rather initiate a survey and then submit a proposal on the requirement of borewells,” says B N Vijaykumar in whose constituency (Jayanagar) the underground water level has gone below 600 feet.

There are other ways to ensure that borewells are used judiciously. “We entrust prominent people in the locality with the responsibility of monitoring the borewells and their use," says Basavanagudi MLA L A Ravisubramanya while Raghu says the only option is to recharge the borewells when it rains.

Apart from rainwater harvesting,desilting reservoirs and tanks to increase storage capacity could be a smarter alternative to borewells. But this is a long-term measure and will not be of much use this summer.

“Had Hesarghatta Lake been rejuvenated, it would have solved our problems. But now, there is no other alternative but to go for borewells," says S Muniraju, MLA from Dasarahalli constituency where a part of the Arkavathi river basin falls.

Meanwhile, the clamour for borewells grows louder.

High and low

Constituency	Borewells	Proposed	Depth
Mahalakshmi Layout	12	35	700-800 ft
BTM Layout	20-25	10	>700 ft
Dasarahalli	> 300	50	> 900 ft
C V Raman Nagar	150	60	900-1,200 ft
Basavanagudi	30	20	500-700 ft
Yeshwanthpur	250	150	800-1,000 ft
Vijayanagar	36	30	600 ft

Shettar promises funds
The acute shortage of potable water across the state paved way for a heated debate in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. SeveralMLAs, irrespective of the region, demanded speedy action from the government in solving the problem.
Responding to the demands, Rural Developmental and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar said, “The problem has come to the notice of the government and steps will be taken soon to drill enough borewells and supply drinking water.

Within a week, funds will be released to the task force on potable water for taking adequate steps to mitigate the problem.”

BBMP, BWSSB join to prevent water contamination | BBMP | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T17:07:00.000+05:30

BBMP, BWSSB join to prevent water contamination | BBMP | | Indian Express
BBMP, BWSSB join to prevent water contamination

N R Madhusudhan First Published : 11 Mar 2010 05:39:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 11 Mar 2010 08:36:37 AM IST
BANGALORE: Come summer, and water borne diseases like malaria, dengue, cholera and gastroenteritis strike with a renewed vigour — mainly because of contamination of drinking water by drainage in the supply lines.
This time, however, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is co-coordinating with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to prevent water contamination.
The Assistant Executive Engineers (AEE) and Executive Engineers, who are incharge of all the 26 divisions of BWSSB are in touch with health inspectors to find out which areas in the city are witnessing a spurt in the cases of water borne diseases.
BWSSB officials say there is a possibility of the drainage water entering pipelines near the drains through cracks. The BBMP has been asked to ensure that water from the drains does not stagnate near drinking-water pipelines.
The water is treated at the source before it is pumped to the city. However, during summers the chances of contamination are greater as the cholorine level in water dips fast during summer due to evaporation.
To maintain optimum chlorine levels, BWSSB increases the amount of chlorine in the water during summer. The frequency of water testing has also been increased, say BWSSB officials.
A BWSSB official said, “We are doing whatever is possible to prevent water contamination this summer. Often people contract a water borne disease by drinking water and juices at roadside shops. One should not drink water that is stored for more than two days as there are possibilities of bacteria and viruses growing in such water.”
madhusudhan@expressbuzz.com

BWSSB calls for tech support | | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T17:06:00.000+05:30

BWSSB calls for tech support | | | Indian Express

BWSSB calls for tech support

N R Madhusudhan First Published : 08 Mar 2010 06:06:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 08 Mar 2010 06:52:20 AM IST
BANGALORE: In its efforts to supply quality drinking water to the people of the city, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is exploring possibilities of using Information Technology (IT) to test its quality. This system is already in use in countries like Singapore.
Sensors would be programmed to test the turbidity of water (the amount of suspended solids in water) and the presence of chlorine.
They would be fitted in the pipeline and at the groundlevel reservoirs through which water is pumped to different parts of the city.
The sensors will send signals, after measuring the turbidity and chlorine level, to the computers to which they are linked. If the turbidity and chlorine levels exceed the prescribed limits, officials can direct the concerned employees to do the needful.
The water is treated at the source (Thorekadanahalli and Thippagondanahalli) and pumped to the city after chlorination and adding the necessary minerals like alum. The water is also tested at the source for its contents.
There is a possibility of the growth of different types of bacteria and viruses in the water, if chlorine levels are below the prescribed levels.
These bacteria and viruses can cause water-borne diseases. The chlorine content in water decreases with time.
The prescribed level of chlorine is 0.2 ppm (parts per million) at the supply point.
If the chlorine levels in the water is less than the prescribed level, the sensors will indicate the same and chlorine can be added to the water through chlorinators.
There is also the possibility of water getting contaminated due to the seepage of sewage, mud and other impurities when there is a breakage in the pipeline.
Such seepage can be detected when the turbidity level increases.
The breakage can be fixed immediately.
A BWSSB official said, “The service provider is offering us the facility of measuring chlorine level at points where sensors are fitted.
If they can develop a software to send all the data collected at different points to one centralised server, we might consider using this technology very soon”.
At present, BWSSB has three laboratories for testing water that is supplied to the city and sewage that is discharged from the city.
One laboratory focuses exclusively on testing water.
madhusudhan@expressbuzz.com

BWSSB pleased with budget allocation

2010-09-06T13:25:00.002+05:30

BWSSB pleased with budget allocation

BWSSB pleased with budget allocation
Bangalore: Nov 11, DHNS

“Good budgetary allocation” for the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has pleased its Chairperson P B Ramamurthy.

Welcoming the amount allocated towards replacement of defective pipes, he said: “This is an important step towards reducing water leakage.”

The sum of Rs 425 crores provided to 110 villages newly added to BBMP will give a major thrust towards providing amenities in these places, he added.
A considerable sum is also allocated towards the Second Phase of Cauvery Drinking Water Supply Stage IV. “The exact sum would be informed to us shortly,” he said.
Meanwhile, here is good news for those who opted to delay installing Rain Water Harvesting structures. To motivate public to opt for RWH structures, the stamp and registration duty on loans availed to install RWH units has been done away with.
Elaborating on the details, Inspector General of Stamps and Registration department, K R Niranjan said that the loan applicants for RWH units had to pay 0.25 per cent towards stamp duty and one per cent towards registration fee out of the total loan availed.
“The exemption granted is bound to offer relief to those opting for the units,” he said.
DH News Service

“The price hike in commodities is going to have a significant impact. People are more worried about the hike in the price of essential commodities rather than an increase in their salary package.”
Rakesh, a retail stores owner.

“From the utilitarian perspective the hike in VAT is simply not reasonable. We had the increase in the VAT rates sometime three years ago and as recently as last week, the Centre increased the tax rates on quite a few commodities.”
Abhay Srinivasan, a HR personnel in a MNC
“Whatever the Centre has done, the State is extending it. This would see us spend more on commodities.”
Caleb David, a Corporate Communication executive.

“While the budget statements sound interesting, there is a immediate need to ensure that transparency is installed in the system in spending of funds. There has been time and again allocation for drainage systems and storm water drains in the State budget. But nobody knows where it has been spent,”
Doris Raj-D’Souza, a civic
activist.

“While there is a urgent need to ensure that Rs 20,000 cr is earmarked for the civic amenities for the City, it needs to be implemented in a phased manner. It has been allocating money every year. But it seems that the government has been keeping funds as a eye wash. They need to be used.”
Kathyayni Chamraj, CIVIC member.
“The middle class dream of owning a car has become much more expensive. I was planning to buy a new four-wheeler and but the increase in motor vehicle tax has stunned me. The dream of every common man to buy a car in the City will vanish soon.
Subash Chandra Rao, lecturer

“The increase in tax for two-wheelers will affect those from the poor and middle classes going to work on long routes. “The tax hike for four wheelers is okay, because only people with good salary can afford this. We cannot rely on the buses,”
Kempanna, artist.

City gets Rs 5,325 cr for infrastructure

2010-09-06T13:25:00.001+05:30

City gets Rs 5,325 cr for infrastructure

City gets Rs 5,325 cr for infrastructure
BS Reporter / Chennai/ Bangalore March 06, 2010, 0:45 IST
With the forthcoming elections to the Greater Bangalore City Corporation or the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in mind, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, who presented the state budget for 2010-11, showered a big bonanza on Bangalore city.

The government proposes to spend a whopping Rs 5,325 crore, about 7.6 per cent of the budgetted expenditure for the development of infrastructure in Bangalore city alone during fiscal 2010-11. Over the last two years, the government spent Rs 6,000 crore on developing infrastructure of Bangalore city.

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For the ultra modern metro project, the state has proposed to spend Rs 600 crore in 2010-11. Till now, the state has provided Rs 1,600 crore of its share as capital and loan. The project is being implemented with the Centre’s assistance.
“The government is prepared to provide 50 per cent of the capital required for start local trains in Bangalore city. The Centre will be approached to approve the scheme expeditiously,” Yeddyurappa said.

The Bangalore Development Authority will get Rs 1,000 crore on constructing multi-storeyed vehicle parking centres and for improving 10 important traffic routes in various parts of Bangalore. Another Rs 200 crore will be utilised for improving 25 tanks in the city.

Infrastructure like improvement of city roads, improvement of footpaths, construction of overbridges and underbridges will be taken up through the BBMP at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore. A project of Rs 425 crore for providing drinking water and sanitation facilities to the villages newly added to the jurisdiction of the BBMP will be started through the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board. An amount of Rs 100 crore will be utilised to replace the old water and drainage pipes in the older areas of the city.

For the development of other urban centres in the state, Yeddyurappa has announced a new scheme — Mukhyamantri Nagarothana Yojane — from 2010-11. The government will spend Rs 600 crore under the scheme for specific development programmes like drinking water, sewerage system and road development.

“More than 34 per cent of the population of the state lives in cities, and this ratio is increasing every year. There is a need to formulate a systematic plan for providing the appropriate infrastructure facilities for these citizens,” the chief minister said.

To provide sufficient drinking water supply to the fast-growing towns in the state, the government has given it priority and has provided Rs 304 crore for 2010-11 to expand the drinking water supply schemes in 120 towns.

The 24x7 water supply scheme started on a pilot basis in Belgaum, Gulbarga and Hubli-Dharwad have been implemented successfully and this scheme will be extended to other 16 cities of the state, he said.

Yeddyurappa also announced a Rs 50 crore scheme for four-laning the road between Hubli and Dharwad and Rs 25 crore each for Udupi and Yadgir districts.

Survey projects 5.5 percent growth for Karnataka | 233245

2010-09-06T13:25:00.000+05:30

Survey projects 5.5 percent growth for Karnataka | 233245

Survey projects 5.5 percent growth for Karnataka
By Indo Asian News Service | 04 March 2010 | 7:48pm 0 Comment

Bangalore, March 4(IANS) Global recession and slowdown in the Indian economy notwithstanding, the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Karnataka is estimated to be 5.5 percent this fiscal (2009-10) as against 4.5 percent last fiscal (2008-09), the state's economic survey revealed Thursday.
Bangalore, March 4(IANS) Global recession and slowdown in the Indian economy notwithstanding, the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Karnataka is estimated to be 5.5 percent this fiscal (2009-10) as against 4.5 percent last fiscal (2008-09), the state's economic survey revealed Thursday.
According to the survey report, tabled in the legislature on the eve of the state's budget presentation Friday, Karnataka's gross income is expected be Rs.189,773 crore this fiscal (FY 2010) as against Rs.179,809 crore last fiscal (FY 2009).
The net state domestic product (NSDP) is anticipated to be Rs.168,022 crore as against Rs.159,452 crore, an increase of 5.4 percent.
'The growth in GSDP of secondary and tertiary sectors is anticipated to be 7.5 percent and 6.2 percent respectively. The per capita income is projected to be at Rs.32,411 this fiscal as against Rs.31,041, a growth rate of 4.4 percent compared to 3.4 percent last fiscal,' the report compiled by the state planning programme monitoring and statistics department said.
As an important macro economic indicator, the state's index of industrial production (IIP) covering mining, manufacturing and power stood at 134, 142 and 148 for the first three quarters of this fiscal.
The IIP index grew by 4.72 percent to 166.85 percent in fiscal 2008-09 from 158.98 in 2007-08. The mining sector showed the highest index of 241.22 followed by manufacturing sector at 167.45 and energy sector at 146.33.
In terms of growth, mining grew by 11.27 percent, manufacturing 10.95 percent and energy 5.45 percent.
As the country's premier IT sector, software exports increased to Rs.70,375 crore in 2008-09 from Rs.59,500 crore in 2007-08, while BPO (business process outsourcing) exports more than doubled to Rs.15, 014 crore from Rs.7,600 crore in the same period.
The survey also indicated the cascading impact of global recession and slowdown in the domestic economy on the state, when its GSDP declined steeply to 4.5 percent last fiscal (2008-09) from a high of 12.6 percent in fiscal 2007-08.
The decrease of 0.4 percent growth in the primary sector was mainly due to fall in agriculture production. The secondary sector (manufacturing) grew marginally by 0.3 percent as electricity, gas and water supply had a negative growth of 36.3 percent.
The tertiary sector, driven by IT services, however, grew by 8.5 percent on account of communications posting 26.8 percent, public administration 18.2 percent, banking and insurance 13.9 percent and other services six percent.

2 years without water, News - City - Bangalore Mirror,Bangalore Mirror

2010-09-06T13:24:00.001+05:30

2 years without water, News - City - Bangalore Mirror,Bangalore Mirror

2 years without water

Out of the 350 families in BDA Layout on Old Airport Road, 40 are not getting water for the last two years; their only source of water is private tankers

Shashwathi Bhanukumar

Posted On Friday, March 05, 2010 at 04:31:18 AM

We fume when we don’t get sufficient water during summer. But the plight of residents of BDA Layout, on Old Airport Road, is even worse. They have not been getting water for the past two years.

What is peculiar in the layout is, out of the 350 families, only 40 are not receiving water. “Before 2007, we used to get an adequate supply of water. Sometimes, water used to overflow and we had to stop it by shutting the valve. Now, it’s another extreme,” says K Bhaskar Rao, a resident.

While 300 homes receive water through a pipeline from Domlur, 40 get it from Ulsoor via Jeevan Bima Nagar. Previously, these 40 homes too used to receive water from Domlur, but in 2007, their pipeline was linked to that from Ulsoor.

“Whenever we complain, the Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officials say the water pressure from Ulsoor is low. Engineers in-charge, Prabhakar Reddy and Srinivas Reddy, conduct an inspection every now and then in our area. Water comes the next day and stop again. How long can this go on?” asks Subramanya M, another resident.

For the past two years, residents are getting water through private tankers. There are some like Geetha B S, a housewife, who gets it through the BWSSB tankers. “First, we have to go to the BWSSB office at Indiranagar, collect the bill and hand it over to the tanker people about 10 km away. Only after that will the tankers come, that too at their convenience,” says Geetha.

These residents get water through tankers once in two days. “We pay Rs 250 per tanker. Every month, our water (tanker) bill comes to Rs 3,750. This is the amount we have been spending every month for the past two years,” says Subramanya.

The tanker water is also not clean. “There have been cases where old people and the children have fallen ill; they had to taken to the hospital,” said Bhaskar.

According to a BWSSB staff, the valve has to be replaced to ensure smooth flow of water. But this solution begs for action.

Assistant Executive Engineer Prabhakar Reddy said the “water is there, but it is not enough”. When enquired further, he refused to comment.

Vertical expansion

2010-09-06T13:24:00.000+05:30

Vertical expansion

Vertical expansion

Bangalore is constantly expanding with commercial spaces spilling over into residential areas. High-rises may be the answer to the ever-burgeoning populace of the city, writes Ruth Dsouza Prabhu

Over a period of time, Bangalore’s girth has stretched to its maximum capacity. Rapid development has left town planners hardly any time to assess the situation and give growth a push in the right direction. As a result, you have a city that seems to be slowly choking on its self. Traffic snarls, concrete jungles, commercial spaces spilling over into residential areas and greenery slowly, but surely vanishing from the city landscape is evident. It looks as though Bangalore is no longer a contender for the title of the garden city.

But there is a solution to these problems — high-rises. This concept has gathered steam in Bangalore. Instead building individual houses, authorities have decided that it will be prudent for the city to grow vertically. Maneesh Gupta, Associate Director (consulting and valuation), Colliers International says, “There is enough demand for high-rises for both, residential and commercial spaces. There is no reason to believe that the demand is short-term. The fact that the topmost floors of apartments command a premium over the other floors and builders levy a floor rise charge on apartments in Bangalore as well as many other cities shows that there is an increasing appetite for high-rises.”
V Gopal, Senior Vice-President (projects & planning), Prestige Group opines that in the past few years, Bangalore has been growing at an unprecedented rate. The city has witnessed migration of people from other parts of the country, which has resulted in its exponential growth. With the city centre getting increasingly saturated, vacant land has become a scarcity. Hence, there is an increasing need to make most of the limited space available. And, the most logical solution is high-rises as they can accommodate maximum space under the given circumstances while providing the option of maintaining open spaces around the development.

The foundation stone
Those scouting around for a high-rise home know that people will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the number and styles of high-rise residential projects on offer. When a real estate developer decides on creating a high-rise, infrastructure is of primary importance, needless to say. The foundation too needs to be strong and sustainable. Ashish Puravankara, Director, Puravankara Projects Limited, says, “The concept of high rise construction is highly location specific and has a lot to do with available Floor Space Indices (FSI) at any given location. However, the availability of necessary infrastructure to support high-rise buildings in a given area, at all times, must be taken into consideration.”

He also adds that some guidelines like NBC code, fire fighting norms, height restriction from airport authorities have to be taken into consideration for developing a high rise construction. Basics like wind direction and wind pressure, soil condition, specifications of windows also are important.

The official spokesperson of Nitesh Estates Ltd adds that infrastructure for construction of a high-rise totally depends on the height of the building. For example, in Bangalore, a building above 15 meters is classified as a high-rise.

If a building goes beyond 12 floors, there will be additional increase in the construction cost (cranes, labour etc), service costs such as the pumping capacity for firefighting systems will go up). Also, high strength materials will be needed for the right structures to be provided.

FSI and FAR – the ideal combination
For those familiar with real estate development requirements, the term Floor Space Indices (FSI) and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) has considerable bearing. Commenting on the importance of FSI on high rise construction, J C Sharma, MD, Sobha Developers Ltd says, “High-rise buildings give more open spaces within plots resulting in better environment, more greenery and parks.”

According to Nitesh Estates Ltd officials, “Whether FSI is low or high, one can still go for vertical development. More the number of floors, greater will be the space left open. This will also help in ensuring adequate place around the building, which will take care of the light and ventilation needs of residents.”

Maneesh Gupta adds, “Higher the FSI, higher is the quantum of construction in a particular piece of land. Increase in FSI means more developable area for developers and hence more revenue. High-rise developments are essentially a factor of the building regulations applicable in the city, and more specifically the relevance of FSI and ground coverage coupled with the extent of availability of land parcels for development of various asset classes as per a master plan.”

In terms of advantages of FSI to the builders, Ashish Puravankara feels that high-rise buildings provide a means of saving on land costs. They open up wider arenas to operate on as there is more open space and less ground coverage. It also adds value to the project. This means projects will be cheaper on a unit-to-unit basis and also more plentiful in profitable areas, which is beneficial for investors and their eventual buyers alike. V Gopal of Sobha Developers Ltd on the other hand feels that the bylaw of BBMP prescribes the FSI to high-rises and that there are no specific advantages to builders.
(Continued from Page 1)
Elaborating on the possible challenges that real estate developers face in terms of high-rise construction, Gagan Singh, CEO (Project Development Services), Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj says, “Unlike in developed countries, enforcing strict norms with regard to structural safety, disaster, environment and fire safety presents quite a challenge in India. Other factors affecting the increase of high-rise buildings in India are the FAR norms.”

She explains that FAR parameters vary from state to state and are governed by the respective city development authorities. Increase or limitation of FAR is not city-specific but area-specific. FAR restrictions are necessary in heritage zones featuring monuments, and wherever higher FAR would destroy the urban fabric of a particular area. This has been the primary area of contention.

She adds further, “Every city will have areas where higher FAR is permissible to encourage or accommodate growth of a certain market segment – the same FAR would not be applicable in other areas of the city. Whenever a new area opens up for development, a master plan that designates the land use zone, development control regulations and FAR permissible for various uses is laid down. Essentially, city authorities are in charge of planning the development of the cities.” J C Sharma says, “Many a time interpretation of bylaws becomes problematic. From the safety point of view as well, high-rise buildings have to comply with additional fire norms.”

Maneesh Gupta adds, “With the improvement in construction technology, there is no technical problem in construction or maintenance of high-rises. Most governments are willing to give permission for them and there are not many roadblocks. Height restrictions because of airports in the vicinity may be the only problem that may be difficult to circumvent. However, that is a location specific problem and not pandemic.”
Gupta also informs that higher use of FSI may create problems in terms of additional pressure on infrastructure like roads, water supply, sewage, electric power lines etc. Hence permissions for high-rises are given taking into account the availability of such infrastructure at a particular location.

Question of sustainability
Gagan Singh opines that high rise buildings are extremely expensive in terms of construction, services and utilities. They are not necessarily more environmentally sustainable, given the fact of their very high energy consumption even with the implementation of green building parameters.

“Realistically, we are still a long way off from seeing sustainable skyscrapers as a norm rather than exceptions to the rule in India. Costs will continue to dictate most construction companies in this country and the fact remains that skyscrapers – sustainable or otherwise, involve huge costs,” she adds.

J C Sharma feels that high-rises are the most appropriate solution to cater to the present demand. But city infrastructure needs to be upgraded to support the buildings.
Gupta sums it up, “Maintenance costs for high-rise buildings are typically higher than that of their low-rise counterparts. However, that is not a deterrent towards constructing or occupying a high-rise. Environmentally, both high-rise and low-rise buildings can achieve a platinum rating as far as Green Building Council (GBC) is concerned. The height of the building will not impede its sustainability.”

Over Rs.5,000-cr bonanza for Bangalore infrastructure | Business

2010-09-06T13:23:00.003+05:30

Over Rs.5,000-cr bonanza for Bangalore infrastructure | Business

Over Rs.5,000-cr bonanza for Bangalore infrastructure
Published on : Friday 05 Mar 2010 19:53 - by IANS

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Bangalore, March 5 : With an eye to the upcoming local body elections in the city, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Friday announced that Rs.5,325 crore would be spent on various infrastructure projects in this tech hub during the 2010-11 fiscal.

"For the infrastructure development of Bangalore, the state government will spend a total of Rs.5,325 crore to improve city roads and footpaths, construction of fly-overs, service roads, over/under bridges, water tanks, 10 multi-storey vehicle parking centres and on the ongoing metro rail project," Yeddyurappa said during his budget presentation here.

Noting that about Rs.6,000 crore had been spent on the city's infrastructure during the last two years, the chief minister told the legislative assembly that the state government would invest a whopping Rs.18,872 crore over the next three years to improve the transport system by completing the Metro rail project, launching a mono rail and providing drinking water and drainage facility to new areas.

"The state government is prepared to share 50 percent of the capital required to operate local trains in the city with the central government through the railway ministry by connecting the various stations catering to long-distance trains and building new stations to provide faster and hassle-free travel for the people," Yeddyurappa told the members.

The budget has allocated Rs.600 crore as the state's share of the Metro project, which is in addition to Rs.1,600 crore spent over the last two years in the form of capital and loan.

With 34 percent of the people in the state living in cities and the urban-rural ratio widening every year, the chief minister said there was a need to formulate a systematic plan for providing infrastructure facilities in urban areas.

The budget proposes to spend Rs.600 crore to improve civic amenities in towns and cities across the state under the 'Mukhyamanthri Nagarothana Yojane' and Rs.304 crore to provide drinking water supply in 120 towns.

Copyright Indo Asian News

CM launches work on scheme to augment water supply

2010-09-06T13:23:00.002+05:30

CM launches work on scheme to augment water supply

CM launches work on scheme to augment Bangalore water supply

Updated on Thursday, March 04, 2010, 22:06
Tags: Bangalore, CM launches work, augment water supply
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Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today launched works on the second stage of the Cauvery drinking water supply scheme-IV being implemented to augument water supply to the city.

The Rs 3,314 crore project taken up with Japan Bank for Industrial Cooperation loan assistance would supply additional 500 million litres of water to the city by 2012, he said.

Though the project was conceived in 2005, the then government did not take initiate due to "lack of political will", he said.

He said the government would soon take a decision on regularisation of unauthorised constructions on revenue and government land to help poor who have built houses and the measure would bring in at least Rs 10,000 crore revenue to the state exchequer.

Minister for Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Information, Katta Subramanya Naidu said by 2050 the city's drink requirement for drinking water would be in the order of 2000 million litres daily and currently 950 million litres was being supplied as against the demand of 1,225 MLD.

Underground drainage for new parts of city | | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T13:23:00.001+05:30

Underground drainage for new parts of city | | | Indian Express

Underground drainage for new parts of city

Express News Service First Published : 04 Mar 2010 04:46:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 04 Mar 2010 06:56:44 AM IST
BANGALORE: Underground drainage (UGD) lines would be laid in the newly-added areas of the city within two years, BWSSB Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu has said.
The minister convened a meeting with the city legislators on Wednesday to discuss the status of drinking water supply and drainage system in the city. He said the UGD work had started in most of the newly-added areas. The work in the remaining areas would start within 60 days, once the fresh tenders were processed, he said. Nearly Rs 1,000 crore would be spent on laying the UGD lines, he added.
“The chief minister will inaugurate the works related to Cauvery IV Stage, II Phase tomorrow and it will be commissioned by 2012.
Nearly 70 per cent of the water problems of the city will be solved as soon as this project is completed. We have already sanctioned money for sinking borewells in the newly-added areas to meet the increasing demand for drinking water during summer,’’ he said.
He said that in the next three months, the government would decide its next step to further encourage rainwater harvesting. He said they were considering the possibility of collecting rainwater on the sides of big drains by making sewage flow in the middle of those drains. He said that around 7,832 vacant posts in BWSSB would be filled soon and that jetting machines would be provided to all service centres to clear the sewage blockages. The government was also exploring means to improve water flow to the the tanks and rivers, he said.
Most MLAs and MLCs from the city participated in the meeting and discussed the water problems of their constituencies.

Snag in T K Halli reservoir pumps hits City’s water supply

2010-09-06T13:23:00.000+05:30

Snag in T K Halli reservoir pumps hits City’s water supply

Snag in T K Halli reservoir pumps hits City’s water supply
Bangalore: Mar 3, DHNS:

A major electro-mechanical failure of pumps, which supply water to City from Thoraikadanahalli (T K Halli) reservoir due to severe heat clubbed with intermittent power supply, had crippled water supply to the City during the last three days.

Supply is likely to be restored on Thursday depending on the distribution schedule in different areas.

Areas of Hebbal, R T Nagar, Rajajinagar, Nandini Layout, Banaswadi, Yelahanka, HAL II and III Stage have been affected. While some streets in these areas were completely deprived of water certain streets managed to receive some water.

Due to electro-mechanical failure of some equipment used in pumping water at T K Halli (Cauvery II Stage) and Tataguni (III Stage) sub-stations the water supply from the reservoir was hit, said BWSSB sources.

“The technical term for the problem is called CT-flashover. To rectify the problem, pumps were switched off from 8.20 pm on Sunday to 4.55 am on Monday,” said a source.
A five-hour power disruption at T K Halli on Monday compounded their woes. Out of the 810 million litres per day (MLD) of water supplied from this reservoir to the City, which is located 100 kms from the City, 320 MLD is received through the III Stage, while 140 MLD is received through the II Stage. However, other parts of the City did not suffer disruption in water supply as the pumps in the I and IV Stage were functional.

Even as water supply was supposed to be restored on Wednesday there was intermittent pumping at all sub-stations due to a power crisis at T K Halli on the day, said a source.

“Our area received very less Cauvery water on Monday and Wednesday, the days when we get drinking water,” lamented C K Mari Madaiah, a member of Senior and Junior Citizens’ Welfare Association, HAL III Stage.

When questioned about restoration of water supply, an official remarked, “Bangalore experiences acute water and power crisis during summer. Hence, one cannot make any assurance.”
DH News Service

Biogas from sewage to produce electricity | | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T13:22:00.000+05:30

Biogas from sewage to produce electricity | | | Indian Express

Biogas from sewage to produce electricity

N R Madhusudhan First Published : 04 Mar 2010 04:47:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 04 Mar 2010 06:56:34 AM IST
BANGALORE: Managing sewage has given many a sleepless night to the officials of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), what with the city discharging 700 million litres of it daily.
After a dull public response put the board's plan of turning sewage into drinking water on the backburner, BWSSB is now setting its eyes on generation of biogas with the treatment of sewage.
“We are planning to use the biogas that would be produced from sewage for generating electricity. If all the sewage discharged in the city is used for this purpose, the current power crisis can be solved to some extent,” said a BWSSB official.
The BWSSB will construct 13 plants around the city to generate biogas from sewage.
Three of the plants will be constructed near the old sewage treatment plants.
The sewage will be directed into a specially designed bio-digester, which will facilitate the generation of biogas (mostly methane) from it. The biogas thus generated will be used as fuel for the generation of electricity, sources said.
Sewage becomes less toxic after biogas is generated as some of the poisonous gases are released in the process.
Thus, the residue can be used as manure.
After the process, the sewage water can be treated and used for non-potable purposes such as watering plants and washing clothes.
Tertiary-treated sewage is also considered safe for drinking after ultra-filtration, sources added.
The BWSSB had organised a seminar in June 2009 to create awareness about the generation of biogas from sewage, in which a delegation from the Swedish Energy Agency had also participated.
The idea of generating biogas from sewage had been discussed in the seminar.
madhusudhan@expressbuzz.com

Firemen live in ‘stables’ | | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T13:21:00.001+05:30

Firemen live in ‘stables’ | | | Indian Express

Firemen live in ‘stables’

Y Maheswara Reddy First Published : 01 Mar 2010 08:02:33 AM ISTLast Updated : 01 Mar 2010 09:55:25 AM IST
BANGALORE: At the firemen’s residential area in Bangalore South Fire Station it is a sight repeated every other day: around 20 women surround four taps with colourful plastic cans and dull steel vessels of various sizes.
While their men are busy dousing flames across the city with thick jets of water, the women are anxious to see that even the last few drops flowing out of rusted pipes are not wasted. Water is valuable; the taps flow once in two days, only for a few hours. Some had to forgo breakfast to be at the tap, some will skip lunch, others missed college.
Nalina, a PU II year student at NMKRV College, says, “What can I do? My mother has gone to her native place. I did not go to college since there was no water at home. I was not able to collect enough since the flow of water was very slow.” Bharathi, a housewife, said pipes were laid more than a year ago to provide taps in all quarters but water connection is yet to be given. “We are facing acute water shortage here. We have to collect water from the tank adjacent to the road whenever we have no water,” says Bharathi.
Water is just one of their problems.
About 30 families in Bangalore South Fire Station live in one-room quarters that are only slightly bigger than bathrooms in modern apartments.
The 10 feet by 7 feet rooms, used as stables during the British era, now house families.
“We are not in a position to invite our relatives. Whenever relatives come to our homes some of us have to sleep under the cot or even in the kitchen (a makeshift structure outside the room),” says another housewife who did not want to be identified.
However, F R Shariff, Regional Fire Officer, Bangalore South said that efforts were being made to improve the living conditions of firemen.
“We have spent a considerable amount to lay the water pipe from quarters to the road. We have been pursuing the matter with Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board officials. If the families of firemen have any other problems they can approach me. I am here to solve their problems,” says Shariff.
m maheswarareddy@expressbuzz.com

Every drop counts

2010-09-06T13:21:00.000+05:30

Every drop counts

Every drop counts

The advantages of a rainwater harvesting system completely outweigh the costs involved. It requires commonly used equipment such as PVC pipes and storage tanks which are usually found in most households, reports Anisha Mehta

Get ready to conserve water. With the BWSSB announcing that all new and existing buildings need to opt for rainwater harvesting before May 27 or face disconnection of water supply, immediately, myriad questions pop up - where do you get this connection? How much will I end up paying? Will it really benefit me?

“Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) can solve many of Bangalore’s water woes,” says Vijay Krishna G, Director, R&D, India Water Portal, a charitable trust that aims to provide access to safe and sustainable water for all.

He points out that people across the city need to be more aware of the advantages this new rule will bring along with it. “It can enable households, factories, schools and offices to overcome problems of irregular and inadequate water supply or water supply of poor quality.”

The process involves storing rain water that falls within one’s premises and re-using it after basic treatment. By using equipment that is easily available, rain water is diverted towards existing underground tanks or terrace-fitted tanks and then supplied to the taps. “Treated rain water is safe not just for cleaning and washing, but also for cooking and personal consumption,” says Krishna.
So what exactly are these regulations? All new buildings with site area of 1,200 square feet (30 x 40 site) and above, and existing buildings with site area of 2,400 square feet (40 x 60) need to install RWH structures in their premises. This applies to all buildings including residential, non-residential, commercial and government.

How to save rain water...
Rain water that falls on the roofs should be harvested through a storage tank or recharged through an open well or a borewell in the building irrespective of the nature of sub-soil conditions. Rain water from open spaces around the buildings including gardens and parks should be harvested using appropriate ground water recharge structures depending on the nature of the sub-soil conditions.
There are two options available for people. The first is collecting water and the other is ground water recharge. People are welcome to do both. According to the norms, every sq mt of roof area requires 20 litres of water storage. For ground water recharge, for every sq mt of ground area, 10 litres of storage or infiltration are required.

Help at hand
The BWSSB and organisations like India Water Portal and Argyham are there to offer help. BWSSB has a 24-hour hotline number (155313) and a help desk for rainwater harvesting (23341652 / 23348848 / 23348849) has been set up by the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology. This helpline will ensure that people plan the structure, provide information on whom to approach and how much will the structure cost.

“The BWSSB site has a host of information to help people adapt to the change. It provides lists of plumbers who are qualified to implement rainwater harvesting. Also, Bangalore has many water consultants who can help you with the entire set up,” informs Krishna. The advantages of this system completely outweigh the costs involved. Rainwater harvesting requires commonly used equipment such as PVC pipes and storage tanks which are usually found in most households. Labour charges for hiring of local expertise such as masons and plumbers will be additional.

Therefore, the cost would depend on the type and length of the PVC pipes and on additional investments for storing rainwater such as new terrace fitted, ground fitted or underground water tanks. Materials costs involve purchase of natural filtration ingredients such as pebbles, sand, small stones which are easily available. Overall, it is a one time investment with nominal expense related to maintenance of rainwater harvesting system. At the individual level, Krishna suggests some other ways of conserving water. “Individual water metres are the need of the hour. Majority of buildings have a common metre that gauges the total water consumption of residents irrespective of the amount each household consumes.”

Individual metres help
Individual metres instead will help civic authorities charge individual households according to the water they use. Deconstructing water bills in this manner, to a great extent, will bring down water consumption. As Krishna points out, water problems in the city are going to get worse and it’s time to adopt a pro-active approach towards conserving this precious resource. Here is where water security comes into the picture. “People should be aware about water security, before they buy their dream home,” he says. First things first, ensure that the building is harvesting rain water. Also, if it has a proper sewage treatment facility and if they have installed individual water meters. “People are ignorant about the fact that RWH can save up to 30 per cent of the water they use at home,” adds Krishna. Majority of people living in apartment blocks use water tankers many a time to fulfill their water needs. Rainwater harvesting will help them reduce, if not entirely remove their dependency on water tankers.

Another change that can be introduced in homes is getting rid of the RO (reverse osmosis) water treatment system. “This technique actually wastes a lot of water.”
Forgoing reverse osmosis can help save up to 30 to 50 per cent of water used in a single home,” says Krishna. He adds, “Rainwater harvesting ensures a win-win situation for the government and people at large. It’s the purest form of water available and helps conserve water. Time we realise its far reaching benefits.” So, get started!

Use low flush toilets and low flood shower heads.

Landscaping too helps save lot of water.

Maintaining lawns in individual and apartment blocks is common in the city, but these lawns consume large amounts of water.

Instead grow plants, that too, local species to save water as they easily adapt to the local climate.

Rain water harvesting can help store water that can be used for car washing, gardening, washing vessels and drinking too, provided it’s filtered properly.

For the same, regularly check your water filter. Boiling it before drinking is also advisable.

Water from sewage? No, thank you | TTW | BIAL | Indian Express

2010-09-06T13:19:00.000+05:30

Water from sewage? No, thank you | TTW | BIAL | Indian Express

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Home > Cities > Bangalore > Water from sewage? No, thank you
Water from sewage? No, thank you

NR Madhusudhan First Published : 24 Feb 2010 05:08:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 24 Feb 2010 07:02:23 AM IST
BANGALORE: It seems there are no takers for tertiary treated water (TTW), despite it being cheaper and water scarcity escalating with each passing day.
TTW is water generated by treating sewage three times.
More than 95 per cent of the sediments are removed from the sewage during the treatment. Therefore, one can easily use it for washing and cleaning purposes.
If TTW is purified in an ultrafiltration plant or reverse osmosis plant, it can be used even for drinking purposes.
Tertiary treated water costs only Rs 25 per kilolitre as against Rs 60 per kilolitre for normal water.
At present, only Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Bharat Electronics (BEL) consume TTW in Bangalore.
The two companies are consuming around five million litres of TTW per day (MLD) The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has a 10 MLD capacity tertiary treatment plant at Hebbal and 60 MLD plant at Vrishabhavathy Valley.
Every day, BWSSB produces around 15 MLD of TTW and uses the surplus TTW for gardening and washing purposes.
BWSSB chairman PB Ramamurthy said, “We have written letters to BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) and Contractors’ Association, requesting them to use TTW for construction and gardening purposes.
But they have not responded favourably till now. If they start using it, it will help us conserve power and the ecology.
Moreover, it is much cheaper than other sources of water.” Ramamurthy added that BWSSB was also exploring the possibility of supplying TTW to four different points in the city through pipelines to encourage people to use it. “We can give it at Rs 15 per kilolitre if the users can transport TTW themselves,” he said.
At present, the city needs 1,200 MLD water. However, BWSSB supplies around 870 MLD water through its sources. The city would need at least 2,050 MLD of water by 2025. Hence, TTW is considered to be one of the viable alternatives, as all the existing sources of water would have been thoroughly tapped by then.
madhusudhan@expressbuzz.com

Bangalore: State to Buy 850 MW of Power

2010-09-06T13:18:00.002+05:30

Bangalore: State to Buy 850 MW of Power

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 8:25:31 AM (IST)
Bangalore: State to Buy 850 MW of Power

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Banglaore, Feb 24: The State government will buy 850 MW of power for two months from March 1 to mitigate the power shortage in the State, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa announced in Bangalore on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference, Yeddyurappa said the gap between the demand and supply of power exceeded nine million units per day as on Tuesday.

While the present demand in the State was 134 million units per day, the supply was 125 mu, he pointed out.

The State plans to buy 200 MW from Jindal, 300 MW from National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), 250 MW from Power Trading Corporation (PTC) and 100 MW from NTPC Visvesvaraya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (VVNL) Bank, he said. In energy terms, purchasing 850 MW power would translate to 17 mu per day. Financially, the additional purchase of power will cost the exchequer Rs 800 crore.

The Chief Minister said he would direct Escom officials to ensure that they stick to the loadshedding schedule as announced. Escoms have also been directed to ensure that power supply is not interrupted during evening or night to avoid inconveniencing students studying for examinations.

Yeddyurappa said as promised, the State will achieve self-sufficiency in power with the addition of 5,000 MW power capacity to the state grid by the next three years.

Drinking water supply

Meanwhile, Minister for Urban Development Suresh Kumar has said that power disruption would be a major hurdle in tackling drinking water problem in summer and has demanded the Government to provide an express feeder line to supply power exclusively for supplying drinking water.

The minister said that the city corporations in the State were taking precautionary measures to ensure proper water supply during summer. Control rooms would be set up to monitor water supply and special committees would be constituted to address any failure in the system. “The major problem we are facing is non-availability of power to pump water,” he said.

BWSSB proposes big hike in water tariff

2010-09-06T13:18:00.001+05:30

BWSSB proposes big hike in water tariff

BWSSB proposes big hike in water tariff
Bangalore, Feb 22, DH News Service:

A proposed 11.5 per cent hike in water tariff may be imposed soon on Bangaloreans, who are already reeling under an acute power crisis and a daily water shortage of 300 million litres.

The increase in tariff has been proposed by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to compensate for the excess expenditure incurred due to the recent hike in power charges.

The State government is yet to take a final decision, but the BWSSB is ready with its rationale for the hike. Board chairperson P B Ramamurthy said the BWSSB is incurring an additional expenditure of Rs 2.5 crore on the bills to be paid to BESCOM every month due to the increase in power bills.

“The annual expenditure towards power bills was Rs 260 crore earlier, but the increase in power tariff has now shot up this expense by 11.5 per cent now,” Ramamurthy explained at a talk arranged by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) here.

Water needs to be pumped to the City from a distance of 100 kilometres.

The board, he said, is helpless. The burden has to be passed on to consumers. That means the Bangalorean has no escape from the summer woes, compounded by the power crisis.

Currently, the minimum water tariff is Rs 45 for water consumption up to a maximum of 8,000 litres a month, according to BWSSB spokesman Prahlad Rao.

Augmenting supply

The board has also recommended to the government two concrete steps to augment drinking water supply.

“To ensure additional supply of water to Bangalore apart from Stage IV and Phase II, we have asked the State to ensure an additional 12 TMC feet of water from the Cauvery,” Ramamurthy said.

A proposal has also been made to divert West-flowing rivers and tap the water from them.

The City is now reeling under a shortage of 300 million litres per day. The level in the T G Halli reservoir, which caters to the water requirements of West Bangalore, is just 20 feet out of its total capacity of 74 feet.

This is a 12-foot reduction in water level compared to the readings in the previous year. The completion of the Rs 3,384-crore Cauvery Stage IV Phase II project by the end of 2011 will ensure an additional 500 million litres of water per day for the City.

Power worries

FKCCI president J Crasta said the frequent power shutdowns in the State during the last one week is proving to be disastrous for the industry.

“Industries all over the State are incurring a loss of Rs 1 crore per day due to the erractic supply,” he added.

Ramamurthy said the BWSSB would set up 10 additional sewerage treatment plants.
“At the moment, we have the capacity to treat 721 million litres of sewerage but only around 346 million litres are being treated as the rest go to storm water drains,” he said.
He also said the government would soon implement a zero sewerage zone project in the Hebbal valley in the city.

Get set to pay more for water - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

2010-09-06T13:18:00.000+05:30

Get set to pay more for water - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

Get set to pay more for water
TNN, Feb 23, 2010, 01.49am IST

Article
Comments

Tags:water bill|bwssb

BANGALORE: The hike in power tariff may see a proportional increase in your water bills. In order to meet its increasing monthly expenditure on power charges, the BWSSB has written to the government asking for a proportional hike in the water tariff.

"We are incurring almost a 11.5% increase in our monthly power charges, paying Rs 2.5 crore extra a month. This, in addition to our regular payment of Rs 260 crore a year. In case the government approves our proposal, there might be a proportional hike in water tariff for both domestic and commercial consumers," BWSSB chairperson P B Ramamurthy told reporters at a meet at FKCCI here on Monday.

No water today in North, East

There will be no water supply in the North and East parts of Bangalore on Tuesday.

The crisis follows a sudden sludge in the motors of Cauvery water scheme 3rd stage in TK Halli on Monday. Almost all the machines have stopped functioning since evening.

BWSSB officials said that the repair work is in progress and that the supply will be restored after Tuesday.

Read more: Get set to pay more for water - Bangalore - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Get-set-to-pay-more-for-water/articleshow/5605195.cms#ixzz0yjY6iRIT

Tanker water all the way - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

2010-09-06T13:17:00.001+05:30

Tanker water all the way - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

Tanker water all the way
TNN, Feb 22, 2010, 01.45am IST

Article
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Tags:water supply|bwssb

BANGALORE: The Outer Ring Road is dotted with huge high-rises. These sprawling apartments are not covered by the BWSSB yet, and their borewells are drying.

Not just these apartments. The residents of erstwhile City Municipal Councils (CMCs) are yet to get Cauvery water supply. So they totally depend on private suppliers and shell out as much as Rs 8 lakh per month! In the city, residents pay anything between Rs 600 and Rs 1,000 per month.

Most of the apartment complexes on Sarjapur Road, Bellandur junction area, Bannerghatta Road, Whitefield and Marathalli depend on borewell water. But since these wells go dry, the residents and the management of the complexes turn to private water suppliers. Now with the sweltering heat on, the water scarcity has become more pronounced.

"How can the authorities give clearance to these huge apartments without any surety of water supply? BDA had approved the construction of this apartment on the basis of assurance from BWSSB. We purchased the apartment in 2003. BWSSB had assured to give water in 2004. Till date there is no water. We are on a rocky terrain and so cannot access borewell water. All we can do is buy tanker water. We need 70 to 80 tankers every day to sustain these 550 apartments. We know that the sources of the tanker water might not be reliable. But what do we do?," questions Raj Ramchandani, management committee member, Springfields apartments near Outer Ring Road.

Presently, he is taking help from the local leaders to drill borewells somewhere close by.

There are other apartments too which rely on borewells. "We depend only on borewell water. The BWSSB water supply does not cover our area. Earlier borewellls would yield adequate water. But in eight years, many apartments have come up leading to less pressure. This means our borewells are drying," says Ashok Ramaswami, president, RWA, Sobha Garnet, on Sarjapur Road.

They have a rainwater recharge system but not a rainwater storage sump yet. With the BWSSB legislation of mandatory rainwater harvesting coming into place, these apartments will have to pull up their socks soon.

The Sun City is another huge apartment block near Sarjapur Road where water shortage looms. With around 1,300 apartments, the consumption is around 10 lakh litres to 12 lakh litres per day. The building authorities are also worried that people are not paying heed to the looming water disaster.

Adding to their woes is eight to nine hours of power cuts. This has the DG sets running for hours to pump water from borewells. "On some days we have to spend as much as Rs 50,000 on diesel to pump water. And we do not charge for water. You can imagine the financial strain," he said.

The apartments are looking at alternatives. Sobha Garnet has a groundwater recharge system and specific car washing days and timings and marked days for landscaping and gardening. Sun City has a sewage treatment plant (STP) that recycles around 25,000 litres per day which is then used for watering the garden. The private water suppliers are making a killing. When TOI contacted some water tanker suppliers, they quoted anything between Rs 450 and Rs 600 for one load of water tanker supply. They said each tanker holds approximately 6,500 litres of water and can be used by 80 to 100 people.

If one goes by their claim, an apartment complex housing 1,500 families needs on an average 40 tankers, spending Rs 20,000 on water alone per day. This would in turn cost Rs 6 lakh per month for an apartment complex keeping the prices at minimum.

While BWSSB officials maintain that the Litre Per Capita Demand (LPCD) is about 120 litres and they supply around 120 litres in the city, residents complain that the water supply is not adequate. According to Raj Ramchandani, managing committee member of Springfields apartment complex on Outer Ring Road which is mainly dependent on tanker water supply, the water suppliers have formed unions.

NO LAW

The flourishing water supply business has also led to the indiscriminate drilling of borewells. But the authorities are yet to check the rampant private water supply business or the drilling which contributes to the groundwater depletion. A BWSSB official said: "There is no law to restrict private water tanker supply business.

At most the BBMP health officials can take action against them if they supply unhygienic water. The Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation for protection of drinking water sources) draft bill formulated in 1999 is yet to see the light of the day, the official said. The Act proposes to restrict the drilling of borewells within 500 metres of public water source.

Read more: Tanker water all the way - Bangalore - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Tanker-water-all-the-way/articleshow/5601217.cms#ixzz0yjY0Rj8z

Power cuts could choke water supply too | | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T13:17:00.000+05:30

Power cuts could choke water supply too | | | Indian Express

Power cuts could choke water supply too

Express News Service First Published : 20 Feb 2010 06:48:02 AM ISTLast Updated : 20 Feb 2010 08:37:36 AM IST
BANGALORE: The water supply to the city might be affected this summer not only because there is very less water in Thippagondana Halli Reservoir but also due to irregular power supply and power cuts.
If the frequency of power supply goes below 50 cycles per second, the pumping capacity of the motors decrease and it reduces the water supply to the city. Every day around 810 MLD of Cauvery water is pumped to the city through Torekadanahalli, Harohalli and Tataguni pumping stations and around 57 pumps of different capacities pump water to the city round the clock.
Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) draws power from the Central Grid at Somanahalli on Kanakpura Road and supplies the same through a separate line to these pumping stations.
The water is diverted to 48 ground level reservoirs (GLRs) after it reaches the city and is pumped through 58 pumps to the consumers from there. The functioning of these pumps is also frequently interrupted due to power cuts. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB) also supplies water to the newly-added areas of the city through over 7,000 borewells.
A BWSSB official said, "There will be nearly 10 per cent less water supply in the city due to power fluctuations and that is a setback for us as the demand for water will be high during summer.
Those who buy water from other sources should buy it from the suppliers who are certified by the government laboratories or accredited laboratories and supply in EPI-coated tankers.’’ BESCOM Managing Director Tushar Girinath said, "BWSSB has given us the list of their installations. We will ensure continuous power supply to these installations wherever they are connected to a separate feeder. It is practically impossible to assure uninteruppted power supply to the borewells as there is acute shortage of power in the state".
A KPTCL official said, "We draw power from the central grid, which is common for all the southern states. We have been supplying 220 KV power to the BWSSB and we will continue to do that as long as we get it from the grid.’’ m madhusudhan@expressbuzz.com

City short on water too; monsoon’s the only hope | | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T13:16:00.002+05:30

City short on water too; monsoon’s the only hope | | | Indian Express

City short on water too; monsoon’s the only hope

NR Madhusudhan First Published : 19 Feb 2010 03:58:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 19 Feb 2010 09:15:48 AM IST
BANGALORE: Will it be a difficult summer for Bangaloreans this time? The answer is yes at least for the areas that were added to the city not long ago.
The situation is likely to improve only by the end of 2011 when the Cauvery IV stage II phase project is scheduled to be completed and the city will get an additional 500 million litres per day (MLD) and Cauvery water can be supplied to even the far flung areas.
The growing demand for water in the city and the depleting ground water levels are making the job of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) that much more difficult.
Apart from the mantra of judicious and equitable distribution to the different parts of the city, BWSSB chairman PB Ramamurthy stresses the need for all households to instal rainwater harvesting systems that was made mandatory recently.
Rainwater harvesting recharges groundwater, besides taking off the burden on BWSSB, he explains.
For the time being though, the areas on the outskirts will get their supply from the borewells. Before being merged with the city, these areas got their water supply from as many as 6,000 borewells.
To augment the supply, BWSSB got 1,536 new borewells sunk in 2008-09. It has got permission to sink 1,000 more this summer.
This time, BWSSB plans area-wise strategies to ensure equitable distribution of the available water. For this, it will be conducting division-level meetings.
On an average, the city consumes 1,200 MLD of water and BWSSB pitches in with 870 MLD, while the rest of the supply comes from private distribution agencies.
With the demand increasing substantially during summer and BWSSB having no additional water sources, it faces an unenviable task every summer.
BWSSB pumps water to the city from Torekadanahalli and Thippagondanahalli (TG Halli) reservoirs. Cauvery water is released from the Kabini reservoir to Shiva Anicut and from there it is diverted to Torekadanahalli, where it is treated.
From Torekadanahalli, the water is pumped to the city through the Harohalli and Tataguni pumping stations.
The water is then routed to the 48 ground level reservoirs (GLRs) in different parts of the city, before it makes its way to the households and other establishments.
“At present, we are getting 810 MLD of water from all the four stages of the Cauvery water project. Around 60 MLD of treated water is pumped to the city from TG Halli,” Ramamurthy said.
In addition to all these efforts, BWSSB will be hoping for early rains so that there is no major problem this summer.
feedback@expressbuzz.com

Reuters AlertNet - Rainwater harvesting helps ease water shortages in Bangalore

2010-09-06T13:16:00.001+05:30

Reuters AlertNet - Rainwater harvesting helps ease water shortages in Bangalore

Rainwater harvesting helps ease water shortages in Bangalore
18 Feb 2010 13:22:00 GMT
Written by: AlertNet correspondent

Bangalore, India's Silicon Valley, has seen a huge increase in new construction in recent years, leading to worsening water shortages. REUTERS/Stringer

By Marianne de Nazareth
Marianne de Nazareth, who is based in Bangalore, India, is a freelance journalist with an interest in climate change issues.
BANGALORE, India (AlertNet) - With the population soaring in this capital of India's Silicon Valley, water is running out. As wide green gardens have been replaced with apartment blocks, boreholes have been running dry and many residents now buy their water on a daily basis from tanker trucks that creep through the city's notorious traffic.
But on the outskirts of the city, an innovative rainwater harvesting effort is recharging the area's depleted groundwater, suggesting how cities around the world might be able to ward off what some analysts fear will be increasing conflict over water shortages.
"With the population literally bursting out of the city's seams and water getting scarce, the need of the hour is to employ rainwater harvesting on a war footing," said Jeff D'Lemos, a retired engineer and rainwater harvesting specialist who is spearheading the project.
In Bangalore's Bellandur district, open fields have over the last three years been replaced with a sea of apartment blocks. Because city water lines don't yet run to the area, residents buy their water by the tanker truckload.
'NO WONDER ALL THE WELLS ARE DRY'
Residents used to draw water from wells. But now "each apartment block has 30 flats so we can look at an average of 120 people living in one building," D'Lemos said. If each person uses 100 litres per day, "no wonder all the bore wells around are going dry."
The solution may lie in rainwater harvesting, which has recently been made mandatory for all new housing construction in Bangalore, according to John Furtado, a city planner.
D'Lemos, who worked many years in the Middle East, is leading a push to gain acceptance of the technology in Bangalore by installing some of the early systems at prices just over cost.
He recently finished putting in place pipes to harvest the rainwater from the roof of one large private house in the district. The water discharges into a sump which is used to recharge the house's dry well.
"The geology of Bangalore's soil is clay on top, soft rock lower, medium rock below that and granite at the bottom," D'Lemos explains. "Therefore one cannot just dig shallow holes where the rain collects and expect that to replenish the water table. The clay soil prevents that. So, there are three options to harvest rain water," he said.
Rainwater can be collected off the roofs of houses and sent to fill an underground sump, or directed to recharge the borehole. A third option is to channelise the water into an open well, D'Lemos said.
From a rooftop area of 200 square meters, the house recently fitted with rainwater harvesting pipes should collect 16,000 liters of rainfall a year if Banglore sees average rainfall of a meter a year, D'Lemos said.
In a nearby apartment block, a water tanker unloads water for residents. They used to need to buy two tankers each day to survive, said Santosh Hebbar, one of the residents, at a cost of $700 a month.
COST OF BUYING WATER CUT BY HALF
"Now with Jeff setting up the rainwater harvesting system, in just a few days we have cut down buying two tankers to one ... In a matter of a few months all our investment in the system will be recovered," Hebbar said.
The project is so new, however, that it is still "very difficult to convince the residents about the efficacy of the project," he said.
He strongly supports making rainwater harvesting mandatory in India.
"In Detroit in the United States, which I just visited, in the Ford (Motors) plant all the roofs are covered with lawns which suck in the rain like sponges and the water is directed to a filtration system. The factory received a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) award for the effort," Hebbar said.
The rainwater harvesting systems are expected to ease pressure on the Bangalore Municipal Corporation, which has seen a huge volume of requests for new water supply connections as the city expands. The systems may also provide a means to help the southern Indian city cope with the more varied and intense rainfall that is expected as climate change takes hold.
D'Lemos hopes rainwater harvesting will take off in popularity after residents see the value of the early systems he has installed.
"I want to start a movement here in Bangalore, a self help movement, to educate people to help themselves," he said. Plentiful rain in Bangalore recently presents an opportunity "to capture that plenty and recharge the water table that we have been depleting for 40 years."
Reuters AlertNet is not responsible for the content of external websites.

TG Halli level goes down; get set for dry taps - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

2010-09-06T13:16:00.000+05:30

TG Halli level goes down; get set for dry taps - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

TG Halli level goes down; get set for dry taps
Jayashree Nandi, TNN, Feb 17, 2010, 02.14am IST

Article
Comments (1)

Tags:mld|bwssb|bangalore

BANGALORE: With summer setting in, fears of water scarcity is becoming a reality. The level at the TG Halli reservoir has gone down to 20 feet against its total capacity of 74 feet. BWSSB used to draw 60 MLD (million litres per day) of water from here.

The BWSSB has decided to stop drawing water from TG Halli when the level hits 15 feet as doing so it will disturb the ecology of the water body. "The reason for ecological disturbance is encroachment of catchment areas. It has been happening for many years, and now there is no water," a BWSSB official told TOI.

TG Halli supplies water to west Bangalore, including Rajajinagar and Basaveshwaranagar. Presently, the BWSSB draws 30 MLD. Though BWSSB officials say they will manage water supply even without the T G Halli source, experts are worried as the Cauvery might not be able to cover Greater Bangalore. The Cauvery reservoir level has gone down to 116.45 feet from 124.80 feet.

"It is a known fact that all our water bodies have been highly silted. The capacity has declined hugely. That is why irrigation tanks get filled immediately after rain and overflow, leading to flooding. With impact of climate change becoming more prominent, this will only intensify. All the catchments have degraded," says IISc professor N H Ravindranath.

Many are looking at rejuvenation of lakes as a solution to drinking water problem. "All the lakes in Bangalore are polluted. I don't think they can be used for drinking purposes. The only reason why they need to be maintained is because they will recharge the groundwater level. There are only two things that can help solve this problem. Most important is rejuvenation of catchment areas by afforestation; the other is desilting of water bodies,'' the professor adds.

Read more: TG Halli level goes down; get set for dry taps - Bangalore - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/TG-Halli-level-goes-down-get-set-for-dry-taps/articleshow/5582048.cms#ixzz0yjXe2qvN

Dwindling water spells opportunity for purification firms - Economy and Politics - livemint.com

2010-09-06T13:15:00.001+05:30

Dwindling water spells opportunity for purification firms - Economy and Politics - livemint.com

Dwindling water spells opportunity for purification firms
Water purification companies in India have concentrated on only refining potable water, or increasing its purity levels for industrial applications
Jacob P. Koshy

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New Delhi: India’s dwindling water resources spell opportunity for purification companies as people living in homes seek to monitor consumption and recycle what they use.

Even as groundwater levels decline and governments implement stricter policies on the efficient use of what’s available, such businesses are looking beyond the industrial segment, which is estimated at $700 million (Rs3,234 crore).

Software company Wipro Ltd, which launched its venture in the business in 2008, completed its first residential waste water recycling project in Bangalore earlier this month. The Sushruta Vishranthi Dhama, a retirement complex, has 250 residences and is the first such undertaking by the company outside its campus.

“It’s still niche, but in less than five years, we expect water treatment facilities at townships and condominiums to grow 15% annually, on par with the market for industrial water treatment,” said Hariprasad Hegde, vice-president and business head, Wipro Water.

The company is in talks with “a dozen other residential townships” for water treatment projects, Hegde said, without giving details.

Photo: Ramesh Pathania/Mint
Typically, water purification companies in India have concentrated on only refining potable water, or increasing its purity levels for industrial applications. The focus now, say companies, is to get houses to reuse water in toilets, for washing and for gardening.
“These three activities are 85% of the water consumed by a household, and now when governments are passing new guidelines limiting the water available to SEZs (special economic zones), malls and townships aren’t far behind,” said Sudeep Nadkarnee, sales and marketing manager with Aquanomics Systems Ltd, a Pune-based water purification systems company. “That’s the next big boom.”

An industry report pegs the present residential water treatment market at $100 million.

India’s water woes are set to escalate. A 2007 report by the government, called the Trombay Symposium on Desalination and Water Reuse, which formed the basis of a Supreme Court directive to increase efficiency, said that water resource management “is going to be the most serious problem that the country will be facing in the 21st century”.

According to a Planning Commission report, India’s annual rainfall is 4,000 trillion litres, of which only 1,869 trillion litres is usable. Of this, less than 1,123 million litres is actually put to use and the rest is wasted.

Groundwater, which accounts for 433 million litres, contributes 70-80% of that used in farms, around four-fifths of the supply in rural areas and around 50% of that used in urban areas and by industry in India.

Climate change, the Trombay report says, already accounts for a 20% increase in water scarcity, with the remaining 80% being due to population increase and economic development leading to water pollution.

Demand for fresh water by the industrial sector rose from 3% of availability in 1990 to 4% in 2000 and will be up to 11.5% in 2025. Irrigation demand is projected to decline from 84% in 2000 to 73% in 2025, the report adds.

Meanwhile, contamination in rivers and lakes and inefficient treatment plants prevent surface water in rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna from being effectively utilized.

Complementary to the water purification business are companies such as Germany-based Techem Energy Services Gmbh, one of the largest metering companies in the world.

Florian Angerer, who heads the firm’s India operations, said metering India’s booming, unchecked residential water consumption is a potential moneymaker.

Techem, which monitors water consumption using radio frequency identification technologies, currently charges €20-30 (Rs1,260-1,890) per month per house in European countries for their services, and is confident that Indian consumers will pay similar rates.

“Our experience in 20 countries has shown that metering water consumption reduces citizen’s water bills by 30%. So when water is eventually scarce, consumers will definitely pay,” Angerer said.

He added that Pune would be among the first cities to avail of their technology though he didn’t announce specific tie-ups with residential complexes, or expected annual revenues.

The market would be confined to a niche unless strong laws limit water supply to households, said S. Sudeep, who heads Norit India, a subsidiary of the Norit Group, a water purification company.

“We need much greater levels of awareness,” he said. “Currently only those complexes that have over 150 houses may consider it viable. The investments are too high.”

Hegde estimates that a complex with 100 households consumes 50,000 litres per day, requiring a Rs20 lakh investment, which when compared with tanker supply and maintenance would pay for itself in less than two years.

jacob.k@livemint.com

Citizen Matters, Bangalore: Bangalore's love-hate relationship with water now on film

2010-09-06T13:15:00.000+05:30

Citizen Matters, Bangalore: Bangalore's love-hate relationship with water now on film

WATER AND A CITY
Bangalore's love-hate relationship with water now on film
Documentary film 'Water and a City' traces the journey of water into and out of urban Bangalore homes.

By Vaishnavi Vittal 15 Feb 2010, Citizen Mattersbookmark email print
The residents of Kaverinagar in North Bangalore have not received water from the BWSSB for about two years now. But bills from the water board have been delivered regularly. The only relief they have now is because of one of their neighbours Victoria who took it upon herself to help her neighbours by distributing water freely from her borewell.
A kilo litre (1000 litres) of water costs the BWSSB Rs 34, including production, distribution and so on. An average consumer receives this water at a highly subsidised rate, paying around Rs 18 per kilo litre. It's those who purchase them through other means like tankers and pots, who pay a higher price, some even Rs 300 per kilo litre.
Siddikatte tank, Sampangi tank, Dharmabudhi tank, Chennamma tank are now KR Market, Kanteerva stadium, Majestic bus stand and a burial ground respectively.
Forty-two year old Swati Dandekar has documented all this and much more in what could possibly be a first-of-its kind film for Bangalore. Titled 'Water and a City', this documentary film traces the journey of urban water supply in the city. This 52-minute film was screened on February 13th at the Centre for Film and Drama, Millers Road.

A still from the film 'Water and a city' by Swati Dandekar. Courtesy: Swati Dandekar

'Water and a city' is an attempt at presenting the water supply scenario in the Bangalore from a holistic perspective. "As I started to think more about it, I realised there's a vaccum in understanding the holistic picture - in the government, resident welfare associations, etc. Everyone had only their own view", says Swati, who is a Malleshwaram-based independent filmmaker. All of this prompted her to make this film to bring in various aspects related to water supply in Bangalore including social, economic, legal and environmental challenges.
For a city that receives about 500 million litres of water per day as opposed to the required 1000 million litres per day, Swati's film reiterates ground realities. From the time of Bangalore's dependence on the northern Arkavathy to the more recent Cauvery Water Supply Projects, the cost of water to the lack of water supply itself, improper sewerage treatment to sustainable water solutions like rainwater harvesting, the film delves into all these and more.

Swati Dandekar. Pic: Vaishnavi Vittal

Incidentally, as the film itself disclaims towards the end, the BWSSB did not participate in the film. This, after more than four months of chasing after BWSSB officials, for interviews and permissions to shoot on their locations, says Swati. "I tried telling them that my critique is not against them but is more at a systemic level. They feared I'll say negative things about them". Swati also could not speak to the city's BWSSB in-charge minister Katta Subramanya Naidu. But she says she received a lot of inputs from other government departments, who gave her information 'off the record'.
Swati also spoke to former municipal corporators who did not think actively about water issues because they felt they have no say in BWSSB, also thanks to the absence of a city council.
DVDs of 'Water and a city' are available for sale.

To purchase or organise a screening of the film, Swati Danekar can be contacted at svati22[at]gmail[dot]com or waterandacity[at]gmail.com

A Kannada version of the film will be available in a month's time

The film took Swati about a year to make and she says the experience has been very interesting. "It all adds to your own understanding of the subject. But it was a struggle to get it all together in one film". The film follows a narrative format, interspersed with sound bytes and music. The title song was composed by Siddarama Kesapura, the Bangalore! Bangalore! song by Janardhana Kesaragadde, who is also the song writer, and the background score by Jatin Vidyarthi.
Swati says that through the film she hopes people understand the complex relationship that cities have with natural resources especially water. "But there are ways in which something can be done. You have to start thinking of ways more seriously. You need to get this full picture before you start to look for solutions", she emphasises, adding that this film will also make sense for other cities and not just Bangalore, since water supply needs to be looked at in an integrated way.
As one of the interviewees in the film, Joseph Arogyaswamy, standing near the depleting Hessarghatta lake (which last filled up in 1998), says, "What will you do in the future? Can you buy water from the market?" ⊕
Vaishnavi Vittal
15 Feb 2010
Vaishnavi Vittal is a staff journalist with Citizen Matters.

Citizen Matters, Bangalore: Clearing the air about Bengaluru’s carbon emissions

2010-09-06T13:14:00.000+05:30

Citizen Matters, Bangalore: Clearing the air about Bengaluru’s carbon emissions

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE CITY
Clearing the air about Bengaluru’s carbon emissions
The Copenhagen Climate Meet 2009 may have turned out inconsequential, but the need to check carbon emissions is as crucial as ever.

By Bhanu Sridharan 15 Feb 2010, Citizen Mattersbookmark email print
A lot of heated debates at the recently concluded Copenhagen Climate Meet 2009 threw up more questions than answers. Though many argued over India's position in the debate, little is known of how its rapidly growing cities are contributing to global warming. Speaking locally, how much does Bangalore, teeming with a six-million-plus, contribute to India's total carbon emissions? How does it hold itself accountable to the mess our planet is in and how does it plan to help clean it up?
The answer is systematic assessment of its emissions. As with much of the climate change topic, here it becomes crucial to negotiate our way through some technical jargon.
Talk of carbon levels (particularly in the media) are usually followed by the phrase ‘carbon footprint', while a more accurate term would be ‘greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory' or ‘carbon inventory'. Professor N H Ravindranath, an IPCC member from the Centre for Sustainable Technologies at the Indian Institute of Sciences, says, "Carbon footprint is a loose, generic term often used (by the media) to explain the amount of carbon emissions; whereas a GHG inventory is a binding legal term with specific parameters."
Green house gases are those that contribute to global warming including Carbon dioxide and Methane. Their emissions caused by burning fuels, whether for cooking, for transportation or generation of electricity.

Simply put, a carbon inventory is a measure of all GHGs that a particular activity produces. "When we talk about carbon levels, a common mistake is to confuse it with pollution. But GHGs do not include polluting gases like carbon monoxide, which though harmful, do not contribute to warming," he adds. But a carbon inventory takes into account only GHGs like carbon dioxide and methane which trap and radiate the sun's rays (the greenhouse effect), thus increasing the earth's average temperatures.
Calculating emissions
Most carbon inventories for cities calculate emission levels from land use activities particularly transport and housing. For instance, an inventory conducted for New York City by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) based its findings on the calculation of fuel emissions from vehicles and the energy used by buildings.
"While these factors are useful, they are not all-inclusive," says Sapna N, Project Coordinator for City Managers' Association, Karnataka (CMAK), a state-level advisory body that provides technical expertise to various urban local bodies (municipalities) in cities and towns across Karnataka.
She says a comprehensive inventory of the city's emissions must "trace sources of all activities that lead to GHG emissions". She adds, "For example, if we take power supply in Bangalore, the sources are thermal and hydroelectric. Thermal power supply must then consider emissions from transportation and burning of coal, transportation of residues like charcoal, etc."
Prof. Ravindranath says that to produce any useful data for Indian cities carbon inventories must define the boundaries for that region. "In Karnataka, electricity comes mainly from hydropower but in Bihar, it may be 100% coal," he explains.
Emissions linked to lifestyle
Dr Sharadchandra Lele, senior researcher at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Environment, agrees that in cities like Bangalore, "studies must take into account socio-economic differences while measuring emission levels".
Different lifestyles influence emission levels. "A low-income family may emit more carbon while cooking by using firewood as against households using LPG," says Lele, but is quick to add "middle- and high-income groups contribute far more by travelling in private vehicles while the poor may use public transport," Lele says.
This throws up various difficulties in collecting data on Bangalore's emission levels.
Every family contributes
Difficult, yet possible. A simple way of collecting data is to ensure that inventories look into consumption (and therefore emission) patterns of households with emphasis on socio-economic status, industries and local governing bodies (emissions produced while delivering essential services).
For instance, basic data might come from an individual level (a whole family unit). How much carbon (or GHG) does a typical household in Bangalore emit on an average? This involves mapping its consumption patterns of electricity, water consumption (from borewells or Cauvery river pipeline), transportation patterns (number of vehicles owned, yearly petrol consumption etc) and nature of the building or house.

Women lead the water mafia here

2010-09-06T13:13:00.000+05:30

Women lead the water mafia here
Women lead the water mafia here
S Lalitha, Feb 12, Bangalore:

A mini-water racket is thriving at Yasin Nagar in HBR Layout Block II for quite some time. The players: a couple of poor women with some political clout. Their victims: nearly 2,500 poor and lower middle class families in the area.

The centre stage for the ongoing extortion racket is the 8th Cross in the First Stage, which has three pipes lining the street that supply Cauvery water. Water is supplied here thrice a week.

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has not appointed a valve man to regulate the water supply. Instead, two women (Jabeen and Ameena) and a couple of men who serve as their aides have reportedly taken control of the water distribution.
They have fixed valves to the pipes and only this ‘water distribution mafia gang’ is permitted to operate them. No wonder, the people are at their mercy. The payment rates are Rs 100 per month or Rs 10 for three pots of water. Fear that they would be deprived of their quota of water supply if they dare to protest is uppermost on the minds of most of the women here.

A middle-aged MNC employee, residing nearby, states the racket has been taking place ever since Cauvery water was supplied to the area nearly two years ago.
The HBR Residents Welfare Association has filed a complaint at the Hennur police station on Tuesday. The inspector reluctantly took the complaint, alleged Anees Ahmed, Association General Secretary.

BWSSB Assistant Executive Engineer, Kalyan Nagar, Malla Reddy professed ignorance about the whole issue. BWSSB employee regulates the water supply, he claimed. He also threatened to take action against those demanding money from the public.
DH News Service

20 resource centres identified for rural drinking water Sector | NetIndian | India News | Latest News from India | Breaking News from India | Latest Headlines

2010-09-06T13:10:00.000+05:30

20 resource centres identified for rural drinking water Sector | NetIndian | India News | Latest News from India | Breaking News from India | Latest Headlines
Home: 20 resource centres identified for rural drinking water Sector
etIndian News Network
New Delhi, February 8, 2010
The Department of Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation under the Ministry of Rural Development has identified 20 institutions as National Resource Centres (NRCs) to help the States and their agencies in developing their information, education and communication (IEC) strategy as well as capacity building of different stakeholders.

As key resource centres (KRCs), the identified institutions, located around the country, are expected to, among other things, build the capacity of key resource persons at the State level as well as key programme managers and key resource persons in each district.

They will also provide technical guidance to the States in establishing and proper functioning of the Communication & Capacity Development Unit (CCDUs), expand technical guidance for implementation of reform initiatives in different districts allocated to them; and organize orientation workshops, meetins and training for main stakeholders at the State level.

An official press release said the Government had told the identified institutions to prepare an action plan for 2010-11 by March 15.

The identified institutions are: National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad, Uttarakhand Academy of Administration (UAA), Nainital, NIRD, Guwahati, Gujarat Jalsewa Training Institute (GJTI), Gandhinagar, Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, XLRI, Jamshedpur, Anna University, Chennai, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, National Water Academy, Pune, Arghyam, Bangalore, Centre for Science & Environment, New Delhi, Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad, CGWB Training Institute, Faridabad, School of Environmental Studies, Jadhavpur University, NESAC, Shillong, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, National Institute of Administrative Research (NIAR), LLBSNAA, Mussoorie, WASH Institute, Plan India, New Delhi and IMMT, Bhubaneswar.

Tannery Rd residents are left high and dry - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

2010-09-06T13:08:00.000+05:30

Tannery Rd residents are left high and dry - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

BANGALORE: Residents of some parts of Tannery Road, including Vinobhanagar and Bharatmata Layout, are complaining that they haven't got a drop of Cauvery water for the past two months. Tired of calling BWSSB several times, they took to the streets on Monday in protest.

"We are not getting water supply for two months. People are buying from private sources. Each pot costs Rs 2 to Rs 5, and Cauvery water is Rs 6. Over 2,000 people have been affected due to this. The strange thing is we have been getting water bills regularly, some of which have even gone up to Rs 800," said Imtiaz Ahmed, a resident.

However, BWSSB chief engineer T Venkatraju insisted the areas are getting water. "There were fluctuations in supply. Cauvery water and borewell facilities will be improved."

Read more: Tannery Rd residents are left high and dry - Bangalore - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Tannery-Rd-residents-are-left-high-and-dry/articleshow/5550461.cms#ixzz0yjUlaIOG

IDE wins Chennai water plant job - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

2010-09-06T12:59:00.001+05:30

IDE wins Chennai water plant job - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

IDE wins Chennai water plant job
By Yoram Gabison
Tags: Israel news

IDE Technologies has won a tender to build a second seawater desalination plant in Chennai, India's fifth biggest city, along with the Indian company VA Tech Wabag.

The two companies will be building this second desalination facility for the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board. The Israeli group will own a 30% interest in the plant.

The joint Israeli-Indian venture will plan, procure and build the plant at Nemmili, a site about 35 kilometers south of Chennai, at a cost of about $120 million, funded by the Indian government.

The plant will have a capacity of more than 30 million cubic meters of water a day. The water will be treated using reverse osmosis technology.

Following the plant's inauguration in about two years, the joint venture will operate it for seven years in exchange for $110 million.

The plant is supposed to supply Chennai's southern suburbs, an area formerly known as Madras, and the high-tech zone.

Chennai is a major exporter of cars and software, second only to Bangalore.

Wabag, which is controlled by the private equity fund ICICI, projects that Chennai's consumption of desalinated water will increase from the current 1.2 million cubic meters a day to 2 million cubic meters a day in 2025. India's consumption of desalinated water is projected to increase by 15% a year.

IDE Technologies is owned by Yitzhak Tshuva's Delek Group and Idan Ofer's chemicals group ICL. The group was chosen by virtue of its experience in building large-scale reverse-osmosis desalination plants, including in India.

In other IDE news, last week the cash-strapped state of California approved a $550 million allocation of private-activity bonds for the construction of a desalination plant with a capacity of 60 million cubic meters a year for the city of Carlsbad.

Government goes slow on rainwater harvesting | | | Indian Express

2010-09-06T12:59:00.000+05:30

Government goes slow on rainwater harvesting | | | Indian Express

Government goes slow on rainwater harvesting

N R Madhusudhan First Published : 02 Feb 2010 05:22:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 02 Feb 2010 07:47:28 AM IST
BANGALORE: The seriousness of government officials in implementing environment friendly schemes can be gauged from the interest they have shown in installing Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) systems in the buildings housing their offices.
Chief Secretary S V Ranganath and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) Chairman P B Ramamurthy sent a letter to 110 department heads in the city asking them to install RWH systems within three months.
So far, only nine departments have approached the BWSSB for technical assistance to install the RWH systems.
They are: City Central Libraries, Directorate of Youth and Sports, Directorate of Sericulture, Department of Forest development, Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies dept., Commissioner of Social Welfare Department, Health and Family Welfare Department, Department of Collegiate Education and the Department of Technical Education.
The letter dated October 15, 2009 had asked all principal secretaries, and department heads to call a meeting of officials from their department and direct them to install the RWH systems in their office buildings.
It had also stated that the state government is serious about implementing this program and has asked the department heads to approach the BWSSB for technical assistance at the earliest.
According to an amendment made by the state government to the BWSSB Act, all structures that are constructed in an area of 2,400 sq. ft and more should have RWH systems by May 27, 2010.
A BWSSB official said, “As per the instructions given to us by the government and the amendment made to the Act we will have to disconnect the water connections to those buildings that have come up in an area of 2,400 sq. ft and more if they do not have RWH systems in them.
“We will not discriminate between government and private buildings when it comes to implementing these rules.”
madhusudhan@expressbuzz.com

Bruhat blunder

2010-07-29T16:18:00.002+05:30

Bruhat blunder

Govt misses golden opportunity
Bruhat blunder
By Gayathri Nivas

Whichever party wins in the BBMP election, it will inherit a bankrupt city corporation.

After former prime minister H D Deve Gowda uttered a more than four-letter-word against Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa for allegedly conceding undue land demands of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise for Gowda’s not so pet project — the NICE expressway and infrastructure corridor — it is the turn of Governor H R Bhardwaj, who accused the state government of ‘maladministration’ and ‘neglect of duty’. The constitutional head of state made the not very nice utterances in respect of Bangalore city’s traffic bottlenecks and slow paced infrastructure development, at a conference on e-governance and digitisation of government earlier this week.
Whether Gowda rightly or wrongly used the yuck word has been debated enough and the issue laid to rest after the JD(S) patriarch made a public apology to the chief minister. Hence, the governor’s latest barb needs examination.

The Yeddyurappa government has completed 18 months in office and is into the 19th month. Meanwhile, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike or city corporation, has completed three years without an elected council. During this three-year Opposition-free run of the corporation, Yeddyurappa was deputy chief minister holding finance portfolio under the previous JD(S)-BJP coalition regime and later became the chief minister, keeping the charge of Bangalore city to himself. During this period, at least two state budgets and two corporation budgets have been adopted. But no funds transfer worth its name, from the state coffers to the civic body, had taken place. Nevertheless, the corporation took up Rs 800-1,000 crore worth of works, which were paid for from the huge property tax money it generated after lifting a two-year freeze on tax collection. The corporation had temporarily stopped accepting tax as it wished to graduate from a voluntary or self-assessment method to a capital gains-based method, which met with some resistance.

Empty coffers

At least Rs 6,700 crore worth of outstanding bills, on going works and works already allotted to contractors through work code are still to be financed. And the corporation kitty is ostensibly empty, if the contractors, who went on a strike recently demanding clearance of their dues, are to be believed.

For the record, Yeddyurappa can be adjudged the richest chief minister of all his immediate predecessors as his government has received funds from the World Bank, from the Central government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), besides the tax monies. But there is hardly any concrete gameplan to justify the huge spending or ensure planned development of nearly 600 sq km of newly added areas, which upgraded the corporation from plain Bangalore to Bruhat Bangalore or Bigger Bangalore.

The state government frittered away a golden opportunity to turn the new Bangalore areas into an urban model worth emulating. The lack of an overarching plan has resulted in sporadic development of the city at the whims and fancies of the more influential city MLAs, who are putting the cart before the horse. For instance, before laying sanitary and water supply lines, roads have been tarred, which will not only necessitate their inevitable digging at a later date but also cost precious funds for relaying them. Kerbs built with long lasting stones have been uprooted to be replaced by concrete slabs of limited lifespan.

The five new layouts envisaged are begging for attention. With housing building activity yet to takeoff, the government can freely lay roads, flyovers, identify waste dumps and create other amenities. But inaction is conspicuous. Similar is the case of the traffic signal-free corridors proposed, barring a few stretches — again the handiwork of a few ruling BJP MLAs close to the powers that be.

Debt and neglect

A slew of projects worth a whopping Rs 22,000 crore has been cleared by the state Cabinet a couple of months ago but there are no funds to foot them, it is said. Conveniently, the government kept the tenders called for these projects in abeyance after some questions were raised regarding the post haste manner in which the financial bids were opened, ostensibly to overcome the poll code of conduct, which took effect on January 15. The chief minister, in a magnanimous gesture, said the new elected council could take up the tendering and blamed the Opposition for the delays which would entail in implementing critical infrastructure projects.

Well said chief minister but whichever party is elected to power, it will inherit an unenviable heirloom of debt and neglect. And if there is one word that is meaningless in politics, it is speculate. Almost all politicians speculate all the time, gameplanning ahead for likely, and unlikely, outcomes. And if it is an election year, they are at it with full fury. The latest theme for speculation? Will the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike election happen on February 21 or not.

BWSSB proposes tax rebate on RWH filters

2010-07-29T16:18:00.001+05:30

BWSSB proposes tax rebate on RWH filters

You are here: Home » City » BWSSB proposes tax rebate on RWH filters

BWSSB proposes tax rebate on RWH filters
S Lalitha, Bangalore:

Faced with a deluge of letters and calls from public appealing for some kind of subsidy or loans to be made available for those opting for Rain Water Harvesting (RWH), the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has proposed relaxation of Value Added Tax (VAT) for a key component used in the installation of the RWH structures.

The move is intended to motivate the public to opt for RWH before the May 27 deadline.
This was decided at the high-level meeting of the BWSSB officials on Wednesday. BWSSB Chairperson B Ramamurthy has sent a proposal in this connection to the Urban Development department late in the evening, sources said.

At present, nearly 12.5 per cent VAT is being charged on the cost of the filters, which is a key component in the RWH structures, an official specified.

“With the number of people opting for RWH in existing 40 x 60 buildings far disproportionate to the actual number, we are attempting some kind of incentive for house owners to harvest rainwater,” the source said.

Vital component

The filter, the most vital component in the RWH apparatus, is used to remove dust and other solid matter present in water.

There are three types of filters presently used in the different types of RWH methods: a pop-up filter, a rainy filter and a sand filter.

Elaborating on the market rates for the products, Vijay Raj, proprietor of a leading filter concern, Farmland Rainwater Harvesting Systems, said that the cost of a pop-up filter works out to Rs 2,700, inclusive of tax. “If the VAT charges can be done away with, it would cost only around Rs 2,400 and could offer some relief to the purchasers,” he said.
The Rainy filter costs Rs 5,000 and the discount could bring down the price to Rs 4,400, he added.

Sand filters work out to be much cheaper and they are usually designed by the people at their homes, Raj said.
The BWSSB is also calling for Expression of Interest from manufacturers of filters, said a source. This would enable the department to put out a price list of filters to the consumers, he said.
DH News Service

There’s a takeover plot | | | Indian Express

2010-07-29T16:18:00.000+05:30

There’s a takeover plot | | | Indian Express

There’s a takeover plot

Y Maheswara Reddy First Published : 22 Jan 2010 05:18:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 22 Jan 2010 07:23:34 AM IST
THE residents of B Narayanapura, Akashnagar and the surrounding areas in the KR Puram Assembly segment had seen a glimmer of hope when local politicians assured them that a 15-acre government land in the area, which was being used as a garbage dumping yard, would be converted to a park.
These residential areas came up on private lands many years ago. The landowners, who formed the layouts and sold their sites for building houses, did not make a provision for a park back then. The concerend authorities also did nothing to ensure that a provision for a park was kept while permitting the landowners to convert the revenue land for residential purposes.
But the promises for a park seem to be fading. One can see encroachers slowly eating up the land and politicians aiding and abetting the process.
Some people have been bold enough to remove the stones marking the boundary of the land and build a temple there. Some politicians are also allotting land for select people.
Looking at the temple and the temporary shelters that have come up, it looks like it is easy to encroach upon this government land.
“There are some vested interests.
They encourage people to put up temporary shelters after collecting a few thousands from the homeless,” says Kodanda Reddy, former vicepresident of Mahadevapura City Municipal Council, which was brough under the fold of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) a few years ago.
Many residents have brought these developments to the notice of local MLA Nandeesh Reddy. They said that the MLA has promised to do the needful.
“The temporary shelters are likely to grow into a slum. Then, it will be difficult for the BBMP to clear the slum after a few years because it will become a votebank for political parties,” said a resident.
Some residents, who stay close to this vacant land, complain of the unhygienic atmosphere. “The stench that emanates from the garbage is making our lives miserable. We cannot even invite guests to our houses due to the odour. It would be a relief for us if the vacant land is converted into a park or even if a government hospital or school is constructed there,” suggested Rathnamma, a housewife.
It was said that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has a plan to construct a ground-level water tank here but the locals are opposing it. The BWSSB has even put up a board for this purpose.
However, an assistant engineer of BWSSB claims that BBMP is yet to hand over the land to them. “There was a plan to construct a groundlevel water storage tank at the place.
The BBMP is yet to hand over the land to us,” says Made Gowda, Assistant Engineer, BWSSB. MLA Nandeesh Reddy was not available for comment.
maheswarareddy@expressbuzz.com

Where the streets have no drain | BBMP | Sri Ayyappa Temple | Indian Express

2010-07-29T16:17:00.001+05:30

Where the streets have no drain | BBMP | Sri Ayyappa Temple | Indian Express

Where the streets have no drain

Y Maheswara Reddy First Published : 21 Jan 2010 06:06:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 21 Jan 2010 07:18:19 AM IST
BANGALORE: Ensuring a proper drainage system is considered essential while laying roads. However, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) seems to have forgotten this while concretising roads in localities such as Ulsoor and Jogupalya.
The road at Sri Ayyappa Temple junction has no provision to drain rain water. The streets are waterlogged even during summer. Many people on G 9th Street are not happy with the concretising of the road.
“We are thankful to the BBMP for developing our road but we feel uncomfortable every morning since there is no provision to drain the water that we use for cleaning the garden before putting the rangoli,’’ says Ramanamma, a housewife.
“Earlier, there was no such problem.
We are facing it only after concretising our road,’’ says Nagaiah.
Ironically, the roads were concretised without replacing the sewage pipes that were not capable to carry the load of sewage water. “There are many occasions where sewage pipes get clogged. The need of the hour is to replace the existing small sewage pipes with bigger ones since the number of houses have gone up.
Most of the houses have become multi-storied buildings but the sewage pipes remain same,’’ says a house-owner, who likes to remain anonymous.
If the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board decide to replace the existing sewage pipes, it would be an additional expenditure for the BBMP to concretise the roads after laying the sewage pipes. The BBMP also depends heavily on contractors who hardly do follow-ups after concretising the roads.
When contacted, Liyaqat Ali, engineer, BBMP (East), said that he was not aware of the concretised roads in Jogupalya. “The work was done a few years ago when I was working at another division of the BBMP. I will visit the area shortly and try to do something to solve the problem,’’ says Ali. Meanwhile, N A Haris, MLA of Shanthinagar, said that he would visit the area shortly and do the needful.
maheswarareddy@expressbuzz.com

Citizen Matters, Bangalore: JP Nagar residents demand cleaner neighbourhood

2010-07-29T16:17:00.000+05:30

Citizen Matters, Bangalore: JP Nagar residents demand cleaner neighbourhood

JP Nagar residents demand cleaner neighbourhood
JP Nagar ward’s residents share their concerns, that soon-to-be elected corporators need to understand.

By Anuradha Prasad 20 Jan 2010, Citizen Mattersbookmark email print
BBMP, state government and political aspirants may be gearing up for the elections on February 21st 2010. But with campaigning yet to start, the elections are not a hard reality yet for many residents. Resident Welfare Associations too are waiting and watching for the candidates to be announced. We spoke to a few people from JP Nagar, Ward 177 in south Bangalore to find out what are the improvements they wished to see around their neighbourhood.

JP Nagar ward map. Credit: Google Maps.

K M Handyal, a retired engineer has lived in JP Nagar II phase, for 27 years now. He highlights the problem of rainwater floods. "During the rains, the water floods the streets, ruining the roads." Handyal is also concerned about people dumping waste on footpath, and sweepers not clearing it. Homemakers Vatsala Vittal and Mala Jayaram agree. Vatsala points out how litter in the JP Nagar mini forest park makes it difficult for walkers.
Vatsala and Mala believe that it is time BBMP deal with the poor lighting on streets, particularly on 11th Cross in JP Nagar III phases, having heard of a few chain snatching incidents in the area.
Ward 177 - J P Nagar
Reserved: Backward Cat A
Population: 28508 (Male: 14747, Female: 13761, SC: 2497, ST 457)
Area: 1.79 sq. km.
Assembly Constituency: Jayanagar
Localities: JP Nagar 2nd Phase, JP Nagar 3rd Phase, JP Nagar 4th Phase (Sarakki Dollar Layout), Shivananda Sharma Memorial RV College
Boundaries: North By Marenahalli Road 45th Cross. East By Bannergatta Road. South By Stream/Storm Water Drain, 8th A Main Road, 13th Cross, 13th Main, Sarakki Main Road 9th Cross. West By Aurobinda Marg 24th Main.
Source: bbmpwards.info

Mala, like others in the neighbourhood, is unhappy about the state of pavements. She says it was quite tricky and dangerous to walk down from Delmia Circle towards Ragigudda SLV as the pavements are dug up or uneven.
Vijay Pinto, a travel agent in JP Nagar II phase, points out the pavements were usually used to park vehicles. He felt the roads were improving these days but wondered why the good roads were tarred over and over again while others that needed repair were ignored. Along with some neighbours, Pinto had pooled in Rs 6000 to have the gutters cleaned last year.
BSNL employee and a writer, Vasudha Murthy, from JP Nagar V phase wants "a young, dynamic corporator who will change the scenario at BBMP and take care of the basic necessities of the citizens". She appreciates Jayanagar MLA, B N Vijay Kumar's initiative in addressing some of the concerns in the neighbourhood like introducing a bus and fixing sewerage lines.
JP Nagar ward concerns:

1. Better Footpaths
2. Road improvements
3. Traffic management
4. Garbage clearance and Solid Waste Management
5. Drain improvements
6. Mosquito eradication and health initiatives
7. Unmarked speedbreakers

Which is your ward? What are your top 3 concerns?
SMS "TOP , to 9740918300
E.g. "TOP BTM, drains, roads, trees"
Look out for coverage of other south Bangalore wards.

Dr Meundi, a paediatrician and the President of the JP Nagar Citizen's Association is worried the underpass delay and road widening. He is keen that BBMP develops the existing Dhanvantri Park with additional facilities for senior citizens. He also wants the JP Nagar primary health center to be upgraded as there is only one medical officer at present.
Munniamma, a vegetable vendor from JP Nagar V phase, says the major problems in her area include really bad road, lack of drinking water supply, non-working sewerage lines and stagnant water.
A senior citizen (who didn't want to be named) residing near Dhanvantri park, finds the property tax, water and electricity charges too high. She is also troubled by heavy traffic, dug up roads and unmarked speedbreakers.
Will BBMP surprise citizens with a cleaner and greener Bangalore, smooth roads and pavements, and streets that don't turn into streams during the rains? 2010 will show what's in store. ⊕
Anuradha Prasad
20 Jan 2010

Your agenda for a better city - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

2010-07-29T16:16:00.000+05:30

Your agenda for a better city - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

Your agenda for a better city
TNN, Jan 17, 2010, 05.28am IST

Article
Comments (3)

Tags:elections|bbmp

BANGALORE: First it was a citizen corporator, now there is citizens' agenda for the BBMP elections. This is in the form of ABIDe's vision document — Plan Bengaluru 2020.

On Saturday, the document's architects said that unlike other such efforts that gather dust, this one will take the city's governance to the next level and involve the Bangalorean in more ways than one.

ABIDe convener Rajeev Chandrsekhar said: "We have nearly nine million people in the city striving for basic amenities. As somebody said, it is urban chaos. Imagine this: in 2020, there will be nearly 16 million people and the same amount of space. That will be urban anarchy! This document was prepared to have a vision for governance in the near future."

Joining him was R K Misra. "We want this to be a baseline document. If there is no such paper for people to debate, what really is development? There would be no measure. Though the contents are not carved in stone, people can argue and change the way the system runs. For example, Varthur lake is full of weeds and can be potentially turned into a water resource. But there is no clear idea about who should take it up. The lake is under minor irrigation department while the land is in BBMP limits; BWSSB is in charge of water supply. So there is no clear consensus. The vision document has outlined the role of each authority in such a scenario," he said.

The CM's adviser on urban affairs, A Ravindra, said bringing in reforms is a difficult process in urban planning. "Sometimes, it takes more than 10 years to bring in a change."

Ashwin Mahesh and R K Misra emphasized on the need for empowering citizens in every sphere of development. The document is said to be a window for citizens to engage themselves in governance. A campaign will soon be launched whereby every RWA, MLA and MP associated with the city will get a copy to spread the word among citizens.

On the periphery of development

2010-07-29T16:15:00.001+05:30

On the periphery of development

Plagued by water, sanitary and garbage problems
On the periphery of development
Poornima Nataraj, Bangalore, Jan 16, DHNS

Once a City Municipal Council (CMC) area, Bommanahalli is now a key ward under the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Yet, the area is plagued by water, sanitary and garbage problems like any other under-developed locality in the City.

Bommanahalli is also home to more than 100 factories, mainly garment companies, the lifeline of many lower middle class families with a floating crowd of over 70,000 people.

Bommanahalli falls on the edge of the busy National Highway No 7, and thus its residents have to bear the traffic congestions associated with the place. As a resident, Sajid, put it, crossing the road at Bommanhalli, Begur Road junction is one the most difficult tasks, especially for the aged.

"It takes 25 minutes to cross the roads here. The junction is not planned well for pedestrians and is not able to handle the crowd with slow development works. The traffic is a mess here despite the presence of traffic police. Cars and autorickshaws are parked haphazardly and two way traffic makes it a challenge to drive on Begur Road," he said.

No water to drink:

Acute shortage of drinking water and improper underground drainage are some of the other major problems associated with Bommanahalli. Although few areas are supplied Cauvery water once in a week, for others the local governing body is providing water through tractors. Gauri, who lives in Rupena Agrahana slum, said that sometimes they have to walk long distances to bring drinking water.

"There is huge problem for water here. Forget water for washing and bathing, there has been no drinking water supply, even through tractors for over a month now,” she said.
Although BWSSB has laid pipelines to supply Cauvery water to this area, the water supply is expected only in 2013, according to Manjunatha Reddy, a BJP aspirant in BBMP elections. "We are supplying drinking water to some areas here. Cauvery water will take time for its supply. UGD has been sanctioned to our areas through a Japan based company, but due to certain conditions implied by the company, the project is taking its own time to surface," said Manjunatha.

Garbage everywhere

Like many other wards, garbage is serious problem in Bommanahalli too. Lack of civic sense among public is creating quite a havoc making way for mosquitoes and stray dogs. The BBMP had introduced door to door garbage collection in the second week of January and will be streamlined soon.

Satish Reddy
MLA, Bommanahalli
Assembly Constituency

On the civic works in the constituency:
Bommanahalli has improved a lot from the last few years. We have done our best and nearly 70 percent civic works which were taken up have been completed. Another 20 percent work is in the process of completion.
On Begur Main Road:
Begur road was really bad a year ago, now as the road has developed. Traffic problems have surfaced. Widening this road to 80 ft road will begin soon.
On Garbage collection:
We launched the door-to-door garbage collection in the second week of January, it will take some time for the whole system to streamline. We have spent 14 crore on this system, we will make sure it works.
On UGD lines
Some UGD work are yet to begin. We are in the process of laying the pipelines.

Water contamination rampant

2010-07-29T16:15:00.000+05:30

Water contamination rampant

BWSSB has not responded to outbreak of diseases
Water contamination rampant
Sangeetha Samuel

Like many wards in the City, now preparing for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections, the erstwhile Frazer Town, now renamed as Pulakeshinagar, is also plagued by acute water crisis.

Alongside beautiful parks, old Gulmohar trees, Sepian Victorian houses, and broad roads, Pulakeshinagar also has to deal with underdeveloped wards which require immediate attention and upgradation.

Although the main roads of Pulakeshinagar are relatively clean, “irregular” garbage clearance is the bane of the bylanes and streets of the ward. Despite being the hub of a number of eateries, regular and systematic garbage collection has been undermined.

Drinking water contamination is another problem which erupts in pockets of DJ Halli, Kaval Byrasandra and Sagayapuram. Pulakeshinagar, one of the oldest areas in the City, was established with smaller water and drain pipes catering to a few houses in the Cantonment areas.

However, as the area developed fast into a residential hub, the replacement of the water and drainage pipes did not keep pace with the growing population. This has been one major reason for the rampant water contamination leading to outbreak of diseases during summer.

Muthuswamy, a resident of Pottery Town, points to another lacuna: the lack of a good general hospital for citizens below the poverty line. “There is an old government maternity hospital in Pottery town in a dilapidated condition. It would help the entire residential pocket in and around S K Garden, Tannery Road, D J Halli, if the old hospital is renovated as a general hospital,” Muthuswamy said.

Ratnamma rued that drinking water is available only once a week, for two hours, in Sagayapuram. “Most of the time, women have to get up at 3 am or 4 am to fill water. If we miss water during the early hours, we will have to buy drinking water. In summer, water scarcity gets so worse that we end up spending nearly Rs 1,000 a month just to buy drinking water.”

Other problems facing the ward are the slow pace of road-widening projects, inability of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to provide drinking water and thereby pushing residents towards illegal water connections in D J Halli, Sagayapuram and Kaval Byrasandra; lack of proper garbage collection and disposal. These have made the ward’s residents vulnerable to diseases such as chikungunya, typhoid, malaria and stray dog menace.

Namma Metro drilling work crushes pipelines

2010-07-29T16:14:00.001+05:30

Namma Metro drilling work crushes pipelines

Namma Metro drilling work crushes pipelines
S Lalitha, jan 11, Bangalore:

In a first such instance encountered by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), sanitary pipelines located in the vicinity of Metro Rail construction works on M G Road have got crushed.

The damage is not due to the direct impact of the construction work as has been the case in countless instances, but due to the pressure caused by digging and drilling work undertaken nearby.

Sewage overflowing onto M G Road from manholes at two different locations, one near Trinity Circle and one in front of the Mittal Towers at the beginning of the weekend helped the water supply board findout the source of the problem. While providing a permanent solution to leakage at the Trinity Junction is expected to take months, the problem at the other location has been set right, said a top BWSSB official.

“Employees had to work non-stop during the weekend to remove the crushed pipeline running to a depth of ten feet in front of Mittal Towers. The pipeline of six inches diameter has now been replaced with that measuring nine inches,” he informed. Sewage from KEB power station and surrounding areas and big hotels passed through this pipeline.
The other pipeline at Trinity Circle, which runs 20-feet deep would take more than two months to be replaced with a bigger pipeline.

Suction pipes used
“It will also cost us Rs 21 lakh,” the official added. This line takes care of Defence area, 515 workshop and parts of Ulsoor. A temporary arrangement is being done here with BWSSB lorries making visits to the spot and using suction pipes to remove the blocked sewage.

“We have heard cases of pipelines bursting or cracking due to the strain of work carried out in the soil above them. But in these two cases, the piers were being constructed for Metro Rail in the centre of the road but the damage has taken place at pipes located at the end of the road,” the official said. The pressure caused due to the construction was the only plausible reason for the damage of pipelines, he felt.

Meanwhile, a Metro Rail engineer at the spot of construction, showed the spots where BWSSB was forced to lay a new sanitary pipeline. “Metro Rail has nothing to do with the issue,” he claimed.
DH News Service

The gimmicks have started, News - City - Bangalore Mirror,Bangalore Mirror

2010-07-29T16:14:00.000+05:30

The gimmicks have started, News - City - Bangalore Mirror,Bangalore Mirror

The gimmicks have started

Niranjan Kaggere and Suchith Kidiyoor
Posted On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 02:05:34 AM
Medical camps in full swing

Don’t be surprised if goons in the neighbourhood or a small-time netas suddenly start acting like saints. Because they have decided to shun argument for appeasement, with the countdown for the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls having begun.

While some aspiring corporators have tied up with social services organisations and are doling out freebies to win the goodwill of the voters, others have begun to unleash development projects in their areas. With the poll code of conduct coming into effect on Jan 15, aspiring corporators are going full throttle to make themselves highly visible. All this even before the political parties could commence the candidate selection process. Political circles are expecting the campaign expenditure for the BBMP polls to touch the Rs 800-1,000 crore mark this time. A trailer of the same was out this weekend when some former corporators and those wanting to enter the BBMP council organised free health check-up camps.

On Sunday, members of the H D Kumaraswamy Fans Club had organised a free health check up camp for residents of KHB Colony off Magadi road at Kamakshipalya. The residents could go in for heart check-up and get their eyes tested, besides obtaining free medicines for general health problems. Several NGOs and reputed hospitals were part of the programme for which the main sponsor-cum-organiser was former corporator K Gopalaiah. As Kamakshipalya and adjoining areas are home for the middle-class and lower middle-class families, free health check-up camps is termed as one strategy to woo voters.

Same was the case in Byatarayanapura off Mysore Road. Here, a free medical camp was organised by Sneha Seva Samithi with a poster of former deputy mayor M Lakshminarayanato woo the residents of Gali Anjaneyaswamy ward. In other constituteuncies, the respective MLAs have taken the lead in trying to bond with the voters. While Congress MLA Krishna Byre Gowda organised ‘Hasiru Santhe’ (a programme to promote greenery) at Sahakarnagar recently, other netas have put up posters wishing people a ‘Happy Sankranthi.’

Here MLAs are smart and superfast!

It is the government department concerned that usually arranges foundation laying ceremony for any of the projects approved, but surprisingly, two opposition party MLAs of the city have voluntarily come forward to lay thefoundation for a water supply project worth Rs 6.15 crore as the BBMP election is nearing.

Followers of Vijayanagar MLA M Krishnappa and Priya Krishna, MLA of Govindaraj Nagar, were busy distributing pamphlets requesting people of K P Agrahara, Magadi road, Manjunathnagar, Cholurapalya, Vidyaranyanagar, Goplapur, Gangappa garden, Cheluvappa garden and Telecom garden to attend the programme organised at Magadi road and make it a grand success.

The MLAs’ followers have erected banners of their leaders, giving a grand welcome for them to inaugurate the project. Though the opposition party MLAs are ready with all the arrangements, the department concerned, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), is clueless about the arrangements made by the elected representatives to lay the foundation stone for the approved project.

Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, P B Ramamurthy, chairman of BWSSB said, “It is true that a project to supply water through Ground Level Reservoir (GLR) was approved. But the department has not arranged any foundation laying ceremony. As per the rules, we should inform elected representatives about officially arranged programmes and we will do that. But at this moment, our department has not arranged any programmes.”

But M Krishnappa, who has taken the initiative to arrange the programme, told Bangalore Mirror that the programme has been arranged with the knowledge of BWSSB officials. “GLR was built long back, but the water supply from the Reservoir was delayed for many years. The project will benefit for Vijayanagar as well as Gandhi Nagar constituency. The officials of BWSSB are also going to participate in the programme and everything done with their knowledge,” he said.

Filth, water scarcity plague BTM Layout

2010-07-29T16:13:00.001+05:30

Filth, water scarcity plague BTM Layout

Concept of neighbourhood gone with renting of houses
Filth, water scarcity plague BTM Layout
G Manjusainath

The ambitious face of Bangalore could be seen in the BTM Layout ward, which is one among the seven wards that make up the Assembly constituency of the same name.

But this does not imply that the place is free from civic problems.

The absence of a corporator is quite evident here. The Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy refuses to own responsibility to sort out the civic problems in this ward.

When Deccan Herald drew his attention to problems in the ward, Reddy wanted to know why he was being questioned when there are the BBMP officials and the Member of Parliament, Ananth Kumar.

An otherwise peaceful and serene area, BTM Layout is today plagued by the garbage menace and rising criminal activities.

“Just a few days ago, two youth in a motorcycle came to our street and fled after snatching a gold necklace from a woman. This happened so suddenly that we could not react. Our area was so peaceful a couple of years back. But now we are not safe here,” said Krishnamurthy Rao, a resident of Second Stage in BTM Layout.

However, BTM Layout is fares better when compared to any other part of the City. Good roads, nice parks and lush green streets characterise the identity of many BDA developed localities here.

But one major problem people are facing at present is water supply. Residents say the quality and quantity of water supplied in the area is below the mark. The BTM Layout Residents’ Forum (BLRF) too says that the water is a major problem in the area.

“We have been complaining to the BWSSB authorities about the water problem in our area, but in vain,” said Madhusudan, an office-bearer of the BLRF. However, MLA Ramalinga Reddy did not see any problem there. “Don’t listen to the BLRF. They have a tendency of complaining. There is no such problem in BTM Layout,” Reddy said.

With only a few residents as members, the BLRF is very weak in this area. One of the major reasons is that many of the residents have rented out their houses to outsiders and do not associate themselves with the local issues.

“The concept of a strong neighbourhood has gone with many of our neighbours renting out their houses to outsiders. We are living in fear now,” said Rajeshwari, a resident of BTM Layout. Without corporators, the BLRF is forced to struggle alone to fight for resolution of the civic problems in the area.

Other wards

Koramangala: 151

The Agrahara lake in this ward is choked with weeds and has become a breeding place for mosquitoes. Due to the road widening in front of Forum Mall, the footpath has disappeared and the road is narrowed. The work is generating dust.

Lakkasandra: 146

This is one of the dirtiest areas in the City. It appears no cleanliness drive was ever carried out here. Heaps of garbage, dust, filth, choked drains and criminal activities are the hallmark of Lakkasandra.

Adugodi: 147

Adugodi is another dirty ward of the constituency. Due to the ongoing road widening work, the entire stretch is covered with dust.

Suddaguntepalya: 152

Garbage is a big menace in this ward. Footpaths have been damaged at several places.

Madiwala: 172

The Madiwala lake is getting filthier by the day. Though the entire lake is fenced, no attention is being paid to the mixing of sewage and the weeds that are gradually eating up the lake.

Jakkasandra: 173

This is a ward that is comparatively in good condition in terms of law and order, because of the police quarters here.

Poor response to rainwater harvesting rule

2010-07-29T16:13:00.000+05:30

Poor response to rainwater harvesting rule

You are here: Home » City » Poor response to rainwater harvesting rule

Only 200 building owners have installed the structures
Poor response to rainwater harvesting rule
S Lalitha, Bangalore, Jan 8, DH News Service:

Much water has flowed down the bridge since the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Act was amended to make Rainwater harvesting (RWH) compulsory in all new buildings and certain categories of existing buildings.

However, it is evoking a dismal response from the public, although half the duration of the nine-month deadline period has elapsed.

This is despite the countless street plays, interactive sessions with resident associations, free public workshops and pamphlet distribution programmes organised by the BWSSB since August 27, 2008, the date the amendment was incorporated.

Section 72A of the Act mandated that all new buildings of sital area of 1,200 square feet (30 x 40 site) and above and existing buildings having a sital area of 2,400 square feet (40 x 60) install RWH structures in their premises.

The deadline for complying with the Act expires on May 27 this year. According to a top BWSSB official, owners of all new buildings, roughly around 2,500 as on date (January 6), have made provision for RWH structures. “This is because BDA does not approve the house plan if RWH is not made and they are forced to adhere to the law,” he said.

The major problem is posed by owners of existing buildings. “It is proving very difficult to change the mindset of owners and make them opt for something new in their premises,” he said.

The sorry outcome is that only a minuscule percentage has opted for RWH, states another official. “Out of the six lakh houses that have BWSSB connections in the core BBMP areas, around one lakh fall under the 2,400 sq ft sital area category, which are supposed to install RWH structures.” The shocking aspect is that only 200 buildings have opted to install them, he revealed. “At this rate, there is no alternative in sight except an extension of the deadline date,” the official added.

There are no strict penalties specified for violators as on date, which ensures that building owners are not put under great pressure. “If the response continues to be poor, a review meeting will be held when the deadline expires and stronger measures considered to enforce them,” he opined.

Costs involved

The costs involved in putting in place RWH range between Rs 5,000 and Rs 50,000. The rate largely depends on the roof area of the house. A tank, filter and other minor equipments are required to implement RWH. Houses which have tanks already constructed or possess a water tank are in an advantageous position, since tank construction comprises the main expense, with Rs 5 being charged for every litre a tank can hold.

Public appeals

Meanwhile, letters from public expressing their inability to implement them are pouring inside BWSSB offices. The cost involved in installing the structures clearly seem to put off many owners.

Many letters appeal to the BWSSB to enter into a tie-up with banks so that some loan facility can be arranged for those who want to install RWH structures. Some of them have asked for subsidies for those who install the structures. Claiming to represent senior citizens, one elderly owner in Malleswaram had written thus, “The elderly are struggling to manage their daily lives with the pension amount, it is financially not possible to install them.”

Plumbers to get incentives for RWH

To motivate plumbers to carry out Rain Water Harvesting (RWH), the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has announced cash incentives if they attain specific targets.

Speaking after inaugurating seven models of RWH techniques at the premises of the BWSSB Plumbers Association at K R Road in Basavanagudi, BWSSB chairperson P B Ramamurthy said, the deadline to install rainwater harvesting structures in existing 60 x 40 houses expired on May 27. “Plumbers who are able to install RWH structures in 100 homes anywhere in the City between January and March will be awarded a sum of Rs 10,000.”

In addition, to that plumbers attached to each of the six divisions of BWSSB, who manage to install the structures in 50 houses will be rewarded Rs 5,000, he said.

Altogether one lakh houses which fall under the category must install RWH in their premises, he added.

The association’s general secretary Subbanna, president Shantappa and BWSSB chief engineers took part.

Water treatment, access becomes fast-growing biz

2010-07-29T16:12:00.001+05:30

Water treatment, access becomes fast-growing biz
Water treatment, access becomes fast-growing biz
P B Jayakumar / Mumbai January 09, 2010, 0:20 IST
Orders are flowing for the water and wastewater treatment industry, as leading players in the domestic market such as VA Tech Wabag, Larsen and Toubro, Thermax and IVRCL Infra have bagged over Rs 2,500 crore worth of orders in the past two-to-three months.

VA Tech Wabag, headquartered in Chennai with a Rs 1,200-crore turnover, yesterday said it has been awarded the contract for implementing India’s largest seawater desalination project, by Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Chennai Metro Water). The total cost of the project is Rs 1,033 crore and it will have a capacity of 100 million litres a day. The plant will be constructed on a DBO (design, build and operate) basis and will be commissioned in the next 24 months.

VA Tech Wabag had earlier designed and built seawater desalination plants for Adani Power in Gujarat, for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation at the Vizag Refinery, and for Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation.
“With this, our order book now stands at Rs 3,300 crore and we expect another Rs 500-600 crore of orders within the coming three to four months,” Rajiv Mittal, managing director, told Business Standard.

The Indian water treatment business is estimated to be about Rs 2,000 crore and growing at 15-20 per cent annually. This includes the Rs 1,200-crore industrial water treatment sector and the Rs 800-crore point-of-consumption market, which involves localised water treatment.

PSL Ltd, the largest manufacturer of pipes in India, today announced it had bagged orders worth over Rs 425 crore in the past 10 days for the manufacture of pipes for water supply projects from infrastructure companies like L&T, Lanco, Nagarjuna Construction Company, Subhash Projects (SPML), and South East Constructions.

“We expect various infrastructure players to place orders worth Rs 2500 crore for pipes for water supply projects within the next 18 months,” said Ashok Punj, managing director of the Rs 3,600 crore turnover PSL, which controls over half of the pipe market in the country.

In another announcement, IVRCL Infra and Projects yesterday said it had bagged infrastructure projects worth Rs 958 crore, which includes a Rs 253-crore order from the Gujarat government’s Gujarat Water Infrastructure for implementing the NC-24 water supply scheme in the state. The company also bagged a Rs 142.35-crore contract from Cauvery Neeravary Nigama and another Rs 133.64 -crore contract from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). With these, the company’s overall order book now stands at Rs 22,000 crore, IVRCL said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Last week, engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro had said the company got a Rs 189-crore order from the BWSSB. The contract includes fabrication and laying of a mild steel pipeline. The scheme, funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency, envisages transmission of 500 million litres per day of clear water from the river Cauvery (Shiva Balancing Reservoir) to Bangalore. The project, to be completed in 24 months, involves laying a pipeline from Harohalli to Tataguni and Vajarahalli, along with associated civil work.

L&T’s water and water treatment business are handled by the Metallurgical, Material Handling and Water Operating Company, a part of its construction division. In October, the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam had entrusted L&T with a Rs 488-crore order for implementing projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), a massive city modernisation scheme funded by the Government of India. Of this, Rs 274 crore will go to provide a sewage system to Varanasi city in 30 months, another Rs 121 crore to provide water supply to Allahabad city in 24 months and Rs 93 crore to a wastewater management system for Mathura town, also in 24 months.

The allocation for JNNURM was increased by 87 per cent by the Union government for 2009-10 to Rs 12,887 crore. It had sanctioned 463 projects requiring an investment of Rs 49,743 crore, mainly for basic urban services like water supply, sewerage and stormwater drainage. Agencies such as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank and Japan Bank for International Cooperation are also funding water and wastewater treatment projects.

Another leading player in the segment, Pune-based power solutions player Thermax, had bagged Rs 155 crore worth of orders for sewage treatment in Maharashtra and in Jammu and Kashmir.

Give us water and take OUR votes - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

2010-07-29T16:12:00.000+05:30

Give us water and take OUR votes - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

Give us water and take OUR votes
Aarthi R, TNN, Jan 9, 2010, 02.55am IST

BANGALORE: February 21, 2010. That’s the day citizens will elect their corporators after nine years. But voters in many areas, mainly the middle class and urban poor, are not even thinking about it. All their hopes have dried up, just like the taps in their houses. If some are aware of the date, they say their vote would be for those who can help fight their long-drawn battle for water.

Voters are aware that water shortage has gripped the entire city, but what irks them is ‘regular’ irregularities in supply and untamed sanitary lines for years now. This time, even political favouritism seems to have dried up.
Take the case of 300 residents of L G Ramanna Layout in Laggere. Areas like Bhuvaneshwarinagar, Kanakanagar and a few surrounding areas get minimal water during most days of the year. But before any election, they get a surprisingly ‘good’ stock even during dry days. Reason: ‘free’ water earns candidates a good number of votes. Locals say this happened during the last assembly elections as well.

Increasing measures for water conservation and projects to supply water for new areas apart, many old areas are increasingly being noticed for improper water supply for years. Two more cases to sample: JP Nagar 8th Phase and Shahdabnagar. The former, a well-planned BDA layout with no proper water for almost a decade.

JP NAGAR 8th PHASE
The two blocks in the area, each with 100 houses, are still waiting for proper water and sanitary conditions. “Six-inch pipes were laid in 2003 for water supply but no water yet,” says N Jagadish, a resident of Block I since 2003. On March 14, 2008, he filed an RTI to find out when they will get water for the area.

Forget water, a reply to the query from the BWSSB landed only on June 22, 2009, saying it will take them six months to fulfil the pending procedures for it. With that deadline also over, the residents sent a letter to BWSSB chairperson on December 30, but have not received a reply yet.“We’ve been paying for water all through. We don’t mind even fighting a legal battle for it. Will the upcoming BBMP elections change our plight?” they ask. This area is at walkable distance from the glass factory beyond Konankunte. The plight of the adjoining Block II is worse with no proper sanitary connections.

SHAHDABNAGAR
On August 15, 2009, residents here were on protest for water, which has continued to 2010 as well. There was some relief in between but the residents have been again facing hardships due to water shortage for the past one-and-a-half month.

“We are fed up. We have met almost everyone — from the water inspectors to even the PA of the BWSSB minister and our MLA. We have even written to the CM but to no avail. Earlier we used to get water at least once a week, but now no water at all. Only the reason changes. This time we were told its the low pressure from Malleswaram water unit and that is insufficient to supply water to entire Pillana Garden area of which our area is a small part of,” complains Mohammad Ghouse, a resident. On August 20, they requested for borewells but nothing happened.

Around 5,000 people reside in this area, majority of them from low-income groups. Many have been buying water from tankers for Rs 300 every alternate day and going to RT Nagar for drinking water. What surprises them is that RT Nagar, which is very close to their area, has remained unaffected.

BITING REALITIES
A student from Jogupalya says about a rather unpleasant ‘Bad Water & Sewerage Supply Board’ offer for months in their area. “It is one that makes people pay for water and gives dengue, chikungunya and even H1N1 for free,” says Dhanush Krishnan.

“Babus and leaders talk to us about big infrastructure plans, but they forget that we are fast losing our own health infrastructure. Don’t blame the Namma Metro work. We know it will take time. But, why can’t the BWSSB arrange for an alternative like going overhead if not underground?” he asks.

“We pay a minimum Rs 25 every month towards sanitary charges but sewerage flows on almost all the roads in this area. The ‘bored’ employees step out only if a minimum Rs 200 is paid. Our city has become ‘Bang hell ooru’, ‘Guard dengue city’ that scares even youths like me,” signs off this I PU student.

Are our cities ready for e-governance?-Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

2010-07-29T16:04:00.000+05:30

Are our cities ready for e-governance?-Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

Are our cities ready for e-governance?
7 Jan 2010, 0218 hrs IST,

The mid-term appraisal of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (Eleventh Plan) is currently under way. The Planning Commission is assessing in detail the performance of the economy as well as the performance of individual sectors in relation to the targets set in the 11th Plan. Chapter 11 of the Eleventh Plan is on urban infrastructure, basic services and poverty alleviation. This chapter makes a case for e-governance, as specified in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

The key objectives of the JNNURM are to introduce e-governance in the municipalities to provide single-window services to the citizens, to increase efficiency and productivity of the urban local bodies (ULBs), and to provide timely and reliable management information. This chapter also emphasises the role of information technology in efficient governance and in provision and management of urban services.

We conducted a study to assess the state of e-governance and other related characteristics of India’s 35 cities with million-plus population. While the findings from this study are still preliminary, they have a number of implications for e-governance in India’s cities. With respect to e-governance, we categorised e-governance services of cities into two types: information-oriented and service-oriented.

In the area of information, we examined whether the budget of the city for the most-recent year was online, whether information for building sanctions and drainage/water connection were online, links to the Right to Information Act (RTI), and links to important locally-provided public services such as water supply, sanitation, sewerage, solid waste management, roads and street lighting. We examined whether the municipal corporation website has a map of the city and contacts for the city.

When we examined the scores on information attributes, we found Greater Mumbai was the only one with a perfect score. The closest score to this baseline was a distant Vijayawada. When we looked at attributes, the most popular one receiving attention on city websites was the link to the RTI which most (23 out of 35) cities adhered to, followed by their contact information. The one attribute that municipal corporations were unable to manage online was the information on drainage/water connection for which the customers’ physical presence seemed to be required. Only four out of the 35 cities could make this facility available online.

In the area of services, we considered the following six attributes: whether there is provision for online payment of property taxes, water charges, online registration of birth and death, online complaints registration, online feedback and whether provision existed for online tendering and auction. We found Greater Mumbai was again the one with a perfect score with all services considered being online, followed by Hyderabad.

When we examined scores across attributes, we found that the most popular one was the online registration of complaints, followed by online feedback. The one service on which most cities performed poorly was online payment of water charges, for which only four out of the 35 cities made a provision. This is a surprise because nearly 12 cities made provision for online payment of property tax.

However, this might be explained due to considerable variability in the institutional arrangement for water supply across cities. In Bangalore, for example, a utility, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB),
is entrusted with this responsibility, whereas in cities such as Pune, the municipal corporation itself has this responsibility. These expenditure responsibilities are mandated by the statute. Hence, the capacities
of the service provider might help explain variability in online payment of water charges.

We found that cities with an information orientation on their websites were Greater Mumbai, Chennai, Vijayawada, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Amritsar, Madurai, Bangalore, Patna and Ludhiana. We found that cities with a user-orientation, or service-focused, in their websites were Greater Mumbai, Hyderabad, Madurai, Pune, Indore, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Allahabad and Varanasi.

Our findings indicated that the cities with both low information and low service-orientation websites were Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur, Asansol and Dhanbad.

Summarising, our findings indicated that the largest cities, especially those with more than 10 million inhabitants, fared relatively well in their preparedness towards becoming digital compared to smaller cities. Despite the variance in the adoption of e-governance across the large Indian cities, we should recognise that cities in the e-governance era are much more open to citizen complaints and grievances than they were earlier. Though Indian cities are still evolving in their digital status, governments, private organisations and citizens should take cognisance of the fact that connectivity and information-sharing are the stepping stones for transparency and accountability in governance.

(Mr Sridhar is research fellow at Sasken Communication Technologies and Ms Sridhar is senior research fellow at Public Affairs Centre. Views are personal)

Every drop of water counts | | | Indian Express

2010-07-29T16:03:00.000+05:30

Every drop of water counts | | | Indian Express

Every drop of water counts

N R Madhusudhan First Published : 07 Jan 2010 10:04:58 AM ISTLast Updated : 07 Jan 2010 10:53:16 AM IST
BANGALORE: The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will be installing working models of ultra filtration plant and reverse osmosis water treatment plant at the Rain Water Harvesting Theme Park. The theme park that is being constructed at the cost of Rs 2.5 crore is aimed at creating awareness about the efficacy of these methods in purifying water.
The dirty and contaminated water would be purified in these models and the purity of the so purified water would be displayed to the visitors at the park.
The technology involved in purifying the water would also be explained to the visitors.
This measure is expected to clear the misconceptions about the use of filtered and treated water for various purposes. One of the BWSSB officials said, ``this is the first step to educate the people about the harmlessness of using the treated water for various purposes. All the water sources to the city would be exhausted very soon. Purified and treated sewage is seen as the one of the possible future sources of drinking water to the city.’’ According to the projections, the city would need nearly 2,550 MLD of water by 2040 and even if all the existing sources of water is exploited only1,500 MLD of water can be supplied to the city by then. There are practical and financial constraints in bringing distant water to the city. Treated sewage can meet the water requirements of the city, as more than 70 per cent of the water supplied is discharged as sewage.
It may be recalled that the BWSSB had to postpone its project to supply the purified and treated sewage for drinking purposes due to strong public disfavor. At present, the BWSSB is planning to supply the water that is treated in its sewage treatment plants for washing purposes through separate pipelines that would be laid for that purpose.

BWSSB’s drainage project suffers a setback | | | Indian Express

2010-07-29T16:02:00.001+05:30

BWSSB’s drainage project suffers a setback | | | Indian Express

BWSSB’s drainage project suffers a setback

N R Madhusudhan First Published : 05 Jan 2010 04:40:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 05 Jan 2010 06:58:12 AM IST
BANGALORE: The efforts of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to provide proper underground drainage (UGD) to the newly-added areas of the city has received a temporary setback in some areas as the contractors have quoted high rates for undertaking the works in those areas.
BWSSB has sent a report about five more packages wherein the contractors had quoted high premiums to undertake the work. These packages relate to works that were supposed to be taken up in parts of Dasarahalli, Byatarayanapura, Yelahanka and Bommanahalli CMCs.
As per BWSSB sources, the works include connecting the existing sewage connections to the main lines after they are laid. Hence it is difficult to find people who are willing to do such jobs. Therefore, the contractors have sought high amounts of money to undertake these works.
A BWSSB official said, “If the rates sought by the contractors were 10 or 15 per cent more than the sanctioned sum, the negotiating committee would have tried to negotiate with the contractors and we would have gone ahead with the projects.
However, the contractors have quoted more than 40 per cent above the sanctioned amount. Now, we will have to re-tender these packages”.
BWSSB has already modified a bid of a package that involves works to be taken up in some parts of Dasarahalli CMC and has sent the same for World Bank’s approval.
BWSSB had planned to lay 2,000 kilometres of lateral UGDs and 300 kilometres of main and sub-main UGDs in the newly-added areas of the city at a cost of Rs 965.69 crore. It is in the process of implementing the same.
World Bank is sponsoring the project. Funds from Jn- NURM will also be utilised.
It is supposed to be a timebound project.

IVRCL Infrastructures Bags Orders For Rs.958 Cr.

2010-07-29T16:02:00.000+05:30

IVRCL Infrastructures Bags Orders For Rs.958 Cr.

IVRCL Infrastructures Bags Orders For Rs.958 Cr.
1/5/2010 1:12 AM ET
(RTTNews) - IVRCL Infrastructures & Projects said that the company bagged orders for Rs.958.07 crore in transportation, water & irrigation, buildings and power sectors.

The first order is for balance work of rehabilitation, strengthening and four laning of Bhogpur to Mukerian section of NH -1A from Km. 26 to Km 70 in Punjab state from National Highways Authority of India . The work includes construction of minor and major bridges,underpasses with approaches, 2 lane truss bridge over irrigation canal , culverts, grade separators , widening / rehabilitation and repair of existing bridges. The order is valued at Rs.359.96 crore and is to be completed in 30 months.

The second project is from Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board for providing distribution system, construction of distribution station, laying of conveying mains for two packages under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission or JNNURM. The project is to be completed in 24 months and is valued at Rs.123.25 crore.

The third project is a drinking water supply scheme project under Hemavathy project in Karnataka from Cauvery Neeravary Nigama, a Karnataka Government enterprise. The total completion period of the project is 24 months and is valued at Rs.142.35 crore.

The fourth project valued at Rs.133.64 crore is from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (II) for civil and electromechanical works for reservoirs at GKVK/ Bettahalli plantation, OMBR, Hudi and Booster Pumping station under JICA Loan -ID-P 168. The contract is to be completed in 24 months.

The fifth order includes construction of buildings in various places, modification of transmission lines package in power sector construction of water treatment plant in Jharkhand and is to be completed in 18 months. The project is valued at Rs.198.87 crore.

Govt mulls regularising irrigation pumpsets | Eshwarappa | Nirantara Jyoti | Indian Express

2010-07-29T16:01:00.000+05:30

Govt mulls regularising irrigation pumpsets | Eshwarappa | Nirantara Jyoti | Indian Express

Govt mulls regularising irrigation pumpsets

Express News Service First Published : 03 Jan 2010 04:05:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 03 Jan 2010 08:23:03 AM IST
BANGALORE: In the run up to the state-wide launch of Nirantara Jyoti — the uninterrupted power supply programme for the benefit of nonagricultural activities in the rural limits — Power Minister Eshwarappa on Saturday said that the government was thinking of regularising unauthorised irrigation pumpsets too.
There are an estimated 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh unauthorised IP sets against their authorised tally of 17 lakh, the minister said, expressing confidence that the contemplated measure will go a long way in curbing theft of power. Eshwarappa also reiterated that students would have no problem preparing for the exams this year. The government is attuned to their issue; a special meeting will be held with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa in this regard, he said.
The Nirantara Jyoti programme will be launched at Hoskote on January 16; both Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde will be in attendance, Eshwarappa said.
Nirantara Jyoti will address the energy requirements of streetlighting, drinking water supply and small industries, he said.
A sum of Rs 2,120 crore is being spent on the programme; as many as 76 taluks will be covered in the first phase (Rs 1,200 crore) and another 56 will be covered in the second phase (Rs 960 crore) Eshwarappa said. All the 142 taluks will covered over the next nine months, he said.
The uninterrupted rural power supply programme will be mean an increase of 12 per cent on the prevalent demand for power in the state. Eshwarappa noted that 600 MW of power which is expected from the Udupi Thermal Power Plant by March this year and another 200 MW from the Raichur Thermal Power Plant later in the year will take care of the additional demand.

‘Hike in water tariff inevitable’

2010-07-29T16:00:00.001+05:30

‘Hike in water tariff inevitable’

Hike in water tariff inevitable’
Bangalore, Jan 2, DH News Service:

Warning of an inevitable hike in water tariffs in the near future, BWSSB Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu on Saturday said revenue of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board have fallen by 50 per cent.

Speaking after releasing the 2010 technical diary of the Bangalore Jalamandali Abhiyantharara Sangha here, the Minister, without specifying the quantum of hike proposed or the date of its implementation, said: “The increasing water connections, due to the growth of the City has also resulted in wastage of water and there is absolutely no saving.”

He then suggested that BWSSB adopt about 1,085 lakes on the outskirts of the City for maintenance. Also small check dams could be constructed to harvest rainwater that could be used for the City. “There exists a dire need to harvest rainwater and even recycle water. The government will also allocate Rs 1,000 crore for implementation of rainwater harvesting schemes. Institutes of excellence such as Tata Institute and PSUs - HAL and BEL - housed in large campuses can also effectively implement rainwater harvesting” Katta said.

Tribunal award

The minister added that the City would require 1,200 MLD of water by 2011-12 and rued the 25 per cent shortage that exists. “We are able to supply only 800 MLD, out of which 500 MLD comes from the Cauvery. The saturation point is 1,350 MLD. We cannot supply water beyond this as per the tribunal award” he pointed out and issued a stern warning to those found directing sewerage water into storm water drains. “We are adopting a zero sewerage policy ” the minister stated.

He also instructed BWSSB to adopt better borewell management initiatives to control borewell water and stop leakages.

On the positive side, he lauded BWSSB for being accorded first place by the Centre, in water management schemes.

‘Cannot hold back water price hike any more’ | Katta Subramanya Naidu | PB Ramamurthy | Indian Express

2010-07-29T16:00:00.000+05:30

‘Cannot hold back water price hike any more’ | Katta Subramanya Naidu | PB Ramamurthy | Indian Express

Cannot hold back water price hike any more’

Express News Service First Published : 03 Jan 2010 03:47:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 03 Jan 2010 07:58:42 AM IST
BANGALORE: Water prices may soon be hiked by the government to compensate for the difference between demand and supply of water, Minister for IT/BT and BWSSB Katta Subramanya Naidu said at the release function of the New Year diary brought out by engineers of the Bangalore Water Supply and Service Board on Saturday.
The Minister said that the price rise seemed inevitable as the demand exceeded supply in the state.
He said that there would be efforts to encourage institutions and other bodies to recycle sewage water and subsidies would be provided by the government. Naidu said that not all the borewells in the city were functioning and promised that he would ensure that there was one inspector for every 10 borewells.
He said that the borewells were used 24 hours a day and this was affecting the water table. Efforts would be made to regulate the use of water by fixing timings. The inspectors would monitor the same, Naidu said.
“The depth of the lakes in the city will be increased to accommodate more water, so that they become a source during monsoon," he said.
The government was also committed to use rainwater effectively, he said. Small dams would be built on the outskirts of Bangalore to bring in more water. PB Ramamurthy, HS Basavaraju, Narayan and other officials were present on the occasion.

Mumbai: Now, cops under scanner for water-related offences, News - City - Mumbai Mirror

2010-07-29T15:59:00.000+05:30

Now, cops under scanner for water-related offences, News - City - Mumbai Mirror

Now, cops under scanner for water-related offences

Shivaji Nagar, Deonar police allegedly set up booster pumps to enhance supply; ironically, they have filed the most cases against the water mafia in the city

Nazia Sayed

Posted On Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 02:08:13 AM

The Shivaji Nagar and Deonar police, who have together registered the maximum number of cases against the water mafia in the city, have themselves come under the scanner for alleged water-related offences.

It has been found that both these police stations have set up booster pumps in their premises to enhance water supply. What’s more, the water connection to these two police stations is itself questionable.

The booster pump (circled and right) seen in the premises of the Shivaji Nagar Police Station

Since November, the Deonar police seized 17 booster pumps and arrested 22 people for illegal water theft, while the Shivaji Nagar police confiscated 164 booster pumps and arrested 104 people.

As per BMC rules, the use of booster pumps to enhance supply is illegal, and those involved in such acts can be booked under criminal charges.

Accordingly, both these police stations booked those found using booster pumps under Sections 379 (punishment for theft), 430 (mischief by injury to works of irrigation or by wrongfully diverting water), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC.

Speaking on the two police stations, Deputy Municipal Commissioner of M East Ward Milind Sawant said, “Setting up booster pumps is illegal. If they have done so, we will take action against them, too. But right now, our priority is to crack down on the water mafia.”

When asked about the authenticity of the water connections to the two police stations, Sawant replied, “I will have to verify that first.”

Assistant Engineer Arun Kadam of M East Ward neither confirmed nor denied that the water connections at the police stations were illegal. Kadam said, “The connection given by us to the Shivaji Nagar Police Station is just a diversion from the main supply. Actually there are two connections given to the Shivaji Nagar police, but as supply is inadequate, a third connection was given from the closest water line.”

When contacted, Assistant Commissioner of Police Kaiser Baig said, “Please ask the BMC. I am not an engineer.”

Joint Commissioner of Police Himanshu Roy, however, said that strict action would be taken against those responsible for diverting water illegally. “We will definitely look into the matter and take appropriate action if anyone is found guilty,” he said.

BWSSB: Digging hard for water | | | Indian Express

2010-07-29T15:58:00.000+05:30

BWSSB: Digging hard for water | | | Indian Express

BWSSB: Digging hard for water

Express News Service First Published : 29 Dec 2009 04:43:00 AM IST
ALL the sources of drinking water in and around Bangalore will not be able to quench the city's thirst in the next 30 years. Estimates suggest that Bangalore will need at least 2,550 MLD of water by 2040. Even if all the sources of drinking water are exploited, only 1,500 MLD of water will be available for the city.
Looking down the barrel on the unavoidable fact, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB) amended the BWSSB act 1964 on August 27, 2009 to make way for rain water harvesting as a source of water for the city.
If the plans are implemented according to the amended laws, the harvested rain water is expected to meet the water requirements of the city for nearly six months in a year.
The BWSSB managed to supply Cauvery water to 16,000 households in the newly added areas of the city this year. More than 1,000 bore wells were dug to supply drinking water to these areas.
To bring in more water for the city, the department awarded most of the contracts for the implementation of Cauvery IV Stage II project and officials say the project will be completed in time — by 2012.
The water wastage has been causing a major dent in the department’s revenue. BWSSB has installed bulk flow meters to monitor the flow of water in different areas and to check the wastage of water. The geographic information system that is being currently developed is expected to help the department in checking the unaccounted for water. BWSSB has undertaken two major pilot projects to study the feasibility of implementing the system. The first of the two is expected to help the department trace the leakage in the city through satellite imagery.
The jetting machines inducted for clearing blockages in the sewage lines have proved effective.
BWSSB is also in the process of laying 2,300 kms of sewerage lines in the new areas of the city with World Bank aid. This project is expected to take shape in 2010.
Around 72 kms of major sewage lines were laid to ease the sewage flow from the city this year.

Proposal for India’s first Aqua Park gathers moss

2010-07-29T15:57:00.000+05:30

Proposal for India’s first Aqua Park gathers moss

Proposal for India’s first Aqua Park gathers moss
Pavan Kumar H, Bangalore, Dec 27, DHNS:

The project remains on paper, thanks to lack of financial support, administrative will.

A proposal to set up India’s first Aqua Park in Bangalore, mooted two years ago continues to gathering dust. The project was all set to become a reality, when a sum of Rs two crore was announced in 2007, for setting up the Park.

In preparation, cive teams from the State Fisheries Department had visited all the major fishery hubs in India.However, the project has remained on paper due to lack of financial support and administrative will.

Sources in the State Fisheries Department said that ever since the new Government was formed last May, not a single review meeting has been held to discuss the project.
“Of the Rs two crore announced, only Rs one crore was released this year,” said Dr N R Ramakrishna, State Joint Director, Department of Fisheries. “We are also technically hamstrung as our engineers were transferred out with no replacement,” he added.
Even if the project started immediately, sources said it would take another year and a half to complete.

Of the Rs one crore that has been released, Rs 35 lakh has been sanctioned for levelling of the ground, sinking of borewells and drains. The construction work is expected to start in January 2010.

On 13 acres land
The proposed Aqua Park is supposed to come up on 13 acres of land at Hessaraghatta on the outskirts of Bangalore. It will have facilities like laboratory, quarantine, power and water supply, covering six acres of land provided by the Government to private entrepreneurs. The remaining land will be divided into half-an-acre each, for the establishment of tanks and offices for private parties.

“The Government will provide all the technical support like laboratories, quarantines and certification of fishes. The private entrepreneurs will establish their setup and produce ornamental fishes. They can either do business locally or export them,” said Ramakrishna, the prime mover of the project.

Presently, the State is getting its ornamental fish from either Chennai or Kolkata. “There are about 500 fish-related shops in Bangalore and almost all of them are getting fish from Chennai, Bombay or Kolkata,” said Narayana K, Curator of Government Aquarium.

State’s contribution nil
“The present contribution of Karnataka to the Fisheries is very little with only a few private entrepreneurs trading. If an Aqua Park is established, all those shops will be benefited and acclimatisation will increase the lifespan of the fish”, he added. According to the joint director, the Aqua Park would help farmers. “The fish seeds (eggs or seedlings) produced by private entrepreneurs in the Aqua Park could be sent to farmers who would rear them in their farm or house. Once they are big enough they will be returned to the private parties or sold. This will generate employment and economy in villages,” said Ramkrishna.

BWSSB hopes to end for water woes

2010-07-29T15:56:00.000+05:30

BWSSB hopes to end for water woes
BWSSB hopes to end for water woes
S Lalitha

The year 2009 saw Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) taking up the work on the second phase of Cauvery Water Supply Stage IV.

The project, that would supply 500 Million Litres of Water Per Day (MLPD) to the City after its completion in 2012, is expected to redress the prevailing water shortage and cater to the requirements of the projected population then.

Groundwork

Much of the groundwork for the Rs 3,384-crore project funded by The Japan International Corporation Agency has been completed. Steel was transported to the City and tenders were awarded to convert the steel into pipes.

Foundation has been laid for groundlevel reservoirs and the groundwork for supply of water has to be carried out in the new year. On the other hand, the water tariff continues to be a worrying issue for citizens. The hike in power tariff is sure to cast a cascading effect on the water tariff as well.

With a hike of 35 paise per unit of power, an increase in the water tariff appears imminent.
This is because 50 pc of BWSSB’s revenue from water goes to Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) due to power consumed in pumping of Cauvery water from T K Halli reservoir, located nearly 100 kms away from the City.

“Water tariff has remained stable for the last four years despite increase in power tariff and the hike effected this time is pretty steep,” a top official hinted.

Bangalore looks beyond Cauvery to quench thirst

2010-07-29T15:55:00.000+05:30

Bangalore looks beyond Cauvery to quench thirst

Bangalore looks beyond Cauvery to quench thirst
Praveen Bose / Bangalore December 25, 2009, 0:52 IST
The city is examining options, including rainwater harvesting.

Bangalore, which draws all its drinking water from the Cauvery has been lauded as a model city for its well-metered water supply system and an effective complaint redress mechanism.

The city, also an information technology (IT) hub, has metered its water supply and made its revenue collection allegedly leak-proof, with solutions provided by IT companies in its 580,000 water connections in a population of about 7.4 million.
But Bangalore is now on an expansion mode, with a new supply line being readied for the Greater Bangalore City Corporation, which will include seven city municipalities and one town municipality.

To meet its future requirement, the city is looking beyond the Cauvery. It is examining the options of supplying water tapped through rainwater harvesting, as well as a different model for funding the new project.

There are various options for managing supplies, including end treatment, source treatment and roof water harvesting, says K V Raju, economic advisor to the chief minister of Karnataka, and professor and head, Centre for Ecological Economics and Natural Resources of the Institute for Social and Economic Change.

He says these could take care of 40 per cent of the needs of the city, which receives about 1,000 millimetre of rains every year.

In addition, recycled water would ensure there is lots available for local consumption. But, for that we will need to lay a second pipeline to deal with the accessibility issue, says Raju.

The actual demand-supply gap for water in the city is around 10 per cent as far as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is concerned. But, a significant amount of water distress is seen in the city because of the private layouts and developments that have come up around the city.

Despite the issues pertaining to water supply, Bangalore is said to have the best metered water connections among the metros. “No city in India has metered better than Bangalore. This ensures better accountability and revenue models,” said Raju.

The current per capita water supply in Bangalore is 100 to 125 (gross) litres per capita per day (LPCD), which is below the national standard of 150 LPCD. The per capita availability of water for the vast majority of poor people in Bangalore is only 40-45 LPCD. The gross demand for the city’s population is 900 million litres a day (MLD). However, BWSSB is able to supply only about 810 MLD.

According to M N Tippeswamy, a retired chief engineer of BWSSB and now a consultant with the board, there is need for a catchment area authority in Bangalore, like the Sydney Catchment Authority in Australia. But, the multiplicity of agencies is a hurdle to any projects for protecting the catchment areas.

BWSSB spends 55 per cent of its budget on power, 12 per cent on establishment costs, 3 per cent on chemicals, while revenue expenditure makes for about 15 per cent and rest goes on repayments.

Reforms
The reforms undertaken by BWSSB are the first steps towards increasing its financial resources, enabling an investment in the automation of systems such as accounting processes.

Administrative reforms have set the pace for the financial reforms at BWSSB, as well as for streamlining its accounting processes. Meanwhile, the utility also worked on improving its relationship with the public. “The provision of spot billings and 24-hour automated payment kiosks has increased customer friendliness,” said a top ranking official. The Board is also moving towards adopting international accounting standards to improve its credit ratings.

Supplies
About 90 per cent of the water supplied by the BWSSB comes from the river Cauvery. Water is pumped over a distance of about 100 km to the city, which is 3,000 feet above sea level. The scheme nominally supplies 810 MLD to the city. The second phase of Cauvery Stage-IV, which is under construction, is expected to enhance the water supply by another 500 MLD.

Commerce is off the street!, News - City - Bangalore Mirror,Bangalore Mirror

2010-07-29T15:48:00.001+05:30

Commerce is off the street!, News - City - Bangalore Mirror,Bangalore Mirror

Praveen Kumar
Posted On Friday, December 11, 2009 at 01:23:18 AM
For the Commercial Street, one of the top shopping destinations in Bangalore, commerce will be the biggest casualty during New Year and Christmas shopping season as the street will ‘remain closed for traffic indefinitely’. Reason: The BWSSB plans to replace century-old rusted water pipes passing under the road.

While the Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board is in a hurry to begin work and complete it at the earliest, traders are requesting the board to delay the work in view of the New Year shopping season.

REVENUE GROSSER
Traders said the New Year season is a big revenue grosser for them. It is during this season that they illuminate the road, put up colourful posters and banners, and create a festive atmosphere.

“If the BWSSB digs up the road and closes it for traffic during this season, how do you expect us to keep our shops open? We have requested the BWSSB to start work in the new year,” Ajai Motwani, vice-president of Bangalore Commercial Association, a traders’ body, told Bangalore Mirror.

But the BWSSB seems to be in a hurry. Asked about the traders’ plea, BWSSB’s executive engineer Sathish said, “We are replacing the 100-year-old existing four-inch water pipes passing under the road with 12-inch concrete pipes. We have to dig the road and find out where these pipes are passing.”

PIPES ON ROAD
He said the pipes have been kept on the road and more materials will arrive soon. “Hopefully, the work should begin next week.”

Sathish also said he has not received any request from anyone, including the Commercial Street traders, on when to commence work.

Commercial Street traders’ body vice-president, however, said it has appealed to the BWSSB to start work only after the New Year shopping season. They hadone more request. They want the BWSSB to move elsewhere the concrete pipes kept on the road until the end of this shopping season.

NO TIME-FRAME
Meanwhile, the BWSSB is not sure how long it will take to replace the pipes. “Only when we start work will be know. I cannot tell you the exact time,” said the BWSSB officials.

“Once the BWSSB completes work, the road has to be relaid. It will take some more time. If the BBMP decides to lay a solid concrete road with an asphalt coating, it will take more time,” sources said.

Traders hope the authorities will take up work on war-footing and complete it in a few days without causing inconvenience to them as well as the shoppers.

The Commercial Street traffic police inspector had a different take on this matter. “I was told the traders and the BWSSB have come to an understanding. It might not take more than three days. Traders have agreed to shut shop during this period,” he said.

But, going by the track record of our civic agencies, if they complete the task in three days, it will be a record of sorts.

Thanks to BBMP, no water supply in Rajajinagar | | | Indian Express

2010-07-29T15:48:00.000+05:30

Thanks to BBMP, no water supply in Rajajinagar | | | Indian Express: "hanks to BBMP, no water supply in Rajajinagar

Express News Service First Published : 08 Dec 2009 08:31:59 AM ISTLast Updated : 08 Dec 2009 09:07:48 AM IST
BANGALORE: Thanks to BBMP's negligence, residents of Rajajinagar had no water supply on Monday. BBMP which started work on drilling a borewell opposite ESI Hospital damaged the main water line which supplied water to Rajajinagar and surrounding areas. The damage also caused a loss of around 4 mld water.
However, the work on restoration is in process and by evening the water will be restored and supplied to the localities, said authorities.
According to residents, BBMP went ahead with the work on drilling the borewell without checking the main lines on the way.
“We had to suffer for a lack of understanding between the BBMP and BWSSB,' a resident of Rajajinagar said.�"

Dorekere lake revival doomed - dnaindia.com

2010-07-29T15:47:00.000+05:30

Dorekere lake revival doomed - dnaindia.com

Bangalore: Dorekere lake in Padmanabhanagar, was all set for resuscitation. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) called for tenders in July this year for the comprehensive improvement of the lake.

Last week, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa inaugurated a range of development works in Padmanabhanagar constituency. Among the works listed was the restoration of Dorekere lake. Residents were jubilant. It now appears, however, that even before it starts, work on the Dorekere lake might be doomed.

A sewerage line, 250 metres long, runs through the Dorekere lake bed is set to be developed.

This is rocky terrain, and BBMP authorities rule out the possibility of shifting the sewer line before work on the rejuvenation of the lake begins. The concrete pipeline with sewage water will thus flow on the bed of the lake, and any breakage of that pipe will cause contamination of the lake water.

Unless the sewerage line is diverted, residents feel, there is little point in undertaking work on the lake.

R Prasad, who lives in the vicinity, said, "There are miscreants who might deliberately break the concrete, and allow the sewage in the drain to mix with the lake water. Why do the authorities want to pollute something, and then restore it?"

BV Mahesh Kumar, another resident of the area, said, "There is a trunk drain of the BBMP in the vicinity of the lake. This drain flows from Yelachenahalli to Mayasandra. Why cannot the BBMP coordinate with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to divert the water in the sewer to this trunk drain? If this is not done now, the lake will need to be rejuvenated again in a couple of years."

As per BBMP records, the total area of the lake, including its catchment area, is 27 acres and 23 guntas. The area of the water body is 81,306 sq metres. However, what exists to the naked eye is a pipeline, with little trace of water.

Residents say that until 2002, there was even boating happening on the lake. Deterioration of the lake started from 2004, when the nearby Gowdanapalya was developed into an industrial belt, and chemical effluents began to flow into the sewage lines in the area.
By 2006, the water began to smell foul, and the public stayed away.

A senior BBMP official said, "The lake water was foul-smelling. We are trying to improve it. Diversion of the sewerage line is just not possible. We have ensured that the water will not mix -- the sewerage line is a concrete one."

Officials add that the area is rocky, and excavating rocks to divert the line would be expensive. Besides, even if the pipe is embedded in the earth and laid such that the lake water is not directly in contact with it, it would be next to impossible to detect any leakage.

De-silting of the lake bed, strengthening the bund, creation of a wetland and the formation of an island within the lake are all part of the development works planned.

Plagued by lack of civic amenities

2010-07-29T15:46:00.000+05:30

Plagued by lack of civic amenities

You are here: Home » City » Plagued by lack of civic amenities

Plagued by lack of civic amenities

From traffic chaos to land mafia and from water supply problems to sanitary woes, Rajarajeshwari Nagar has been plagued by lack of civic amenities.

This constituency comprising of nine BBMP wards was identified with dust, dirt, garbage, open drains and lack of street lights. While Bangalore grew by leaps and bounds, the fruits of City’s growth could not reach many areas of the R R Nagar constituency.

It has a sizable revenue pocket when compared to any other part of Bangalore. Five of the nine wards namely Jalahalli, Yeshawantapur, Lakshmidevi Nagar, Laggere and Kottegepalya were in a pathetic state a couple of years back.

The residents of the area say that there were no efforts to develop these areas. For decades many of these revenue pockets had open drains running through the mud roads.

“Until five years ago people hesitated coming to our locality. The entire area used to stink, being flooded with dirty water. In the last one-and-half years, road laying work is done. We have come to know that soon under ground drainage (UGD) and storm water drains would be constructed,” said M Siddaiah, a resident of Kempegowda Nagar, a revenue pocket.

Water Shortage

Water shortage is the most haunting of problems faced by the five ailing wards in the constituency.

“There is acute drinking water shortage. We have been appealing to the engineers from the civic agencies to provide us the relief, but to no vain,” said Siddegowda, owner of a marriage hall in the area. Locals suggest that the most common excuse given by the authorities is: “The pipelines are over 100 years old. we will provide you with water when they are replaced as soon as possible.” While the pipeline replacement drive has begun, water is yet to flow through the taps. People in Laggere ward have been depending upon tankers at Rs 400 per trip and the few borewells for drinking water.

There also exists the problem of traffic chaos and congestion. “With the growth of the City, the traffic volume has also increased. The only approach roads that exist, Mysore Road, has been in a neglected state,” said Parthasarthy, resident of R R Nagar. The potholes and craters that exist on the road have disrupted the smooth flow of traffic in and out of R R Nagar.

Even as the city receives more funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme for public transport, there has been a minimal change in the connectivity to this area. “The bus frequency towards the evening is extremely negligible. Between 6.15 pm and 8 pm there seems to be only one bus that ply in R R Nagar,” rues Parthsarthy.

Law and order?

The land mafia is active in this area. In Laggere, IOB colony, locals state that the same site has been distributed to nearly four or five people. “While the land will be in somebody’s name, the registered GPA will be given to someone else,” said Venkatraju, a bank employee.

Residents in the area seem to have no respite as crime rates have been on the rise across the constituency. “Last Sunday a chain snatching incident took place in the neighbourhood. It is extremely dangerous for women and elderly to walk on the streets after dark,” said Venkatraju.

Lack of direction

As the water and sanitary pipe replacement programme intensifies, the cutting and digging up of roads have increased many fold.

However, people suggest that the works have only caused more trouble for the people.
“They first dig up the road remove the old pipes and then close it for the time being without any replacements. Authorities have been suggesting that the work will commence once there is water supply available. they will once again dig the same road to relay the sanitary pipes,” laments Venkatraju.

Steel Guru : Pratibha and Gammon JV bags Bangalore water supply order - 123488 - 2009-12-05

2010-07-29T15:45:00.000+05:30

Steel Guru : Pratibha and Gammon JV bags Bangalore water supply order - 123488 - 2009-12-05: "Pratibha Industries in JV with Gammon India has bagged an order worth INR 309.46 crore from the Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board for procurement, fabrication and laying of clear water main from Vajarahalli to HBR on the East of Bangalore.

The project has various components
1. MS trunk mains of diameter from 1,800 mm to 700 mm of total length of 45 km
2. DI trunk main of diameter 500 mm of 5 km
3. External / internal coating and epoxy painting of the pipes
4. Fabrication, laying, jointing, erection and construction of pipe specials, valves, saddle supports, thrust blocks and anchor blocks
5. Interconnection with existing water supply system.

The work has to be executed in 26 months and is funded by Japan Bank for International Cooperation."

UNDERPASS ZONE - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

2010-07-29T15:44:00.000+05:30

UNDERPASS ZONE - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

UNDERPASS ZONE
A T Subrahmanya & Sruthy Susan Ullas, TNN, Dec 22, 2009, 03.43am IST

Tags:south bangalore|bangalore

BANGALORE: South Bangalore, called the biggest residential locality in Asia, has more than its share of problems. Apart from niggling issues like solid waste management, dog menace, the glaring problem is several infrastructure projects going on simultaneously, severely hampering movement around the area. Metro work, which started amidst many protests over tree-felling, is chugging along but has also severed commutability.

Citizens rose in unison against delayed deadlines of underpass works in Puttenahalli and Kadirenahalli. Even the Tagore Circle underpass works were much opposed.

PUTTENAHALLI UNDERPASS
The JN-NURM underpass project on Puttenahalli Ring Road was started in May 2008 with an estimated cost of Rs 22.99 crore. The 100-Feet Ring Road connects Bannerghatta Road to Outer Ring Road. Construction work has already seen three deadlines pass by and a new deadline of January 15 has been set now. But a visit to the site shows that work is still going ahead, but at a slow pace. According to BBMP itself, only about 40% works have been completed.

“Twenty metres of the deck is completed. The remaining 30 m is still under progress. The deadlines have been postponed several times. We have filed a complaint against the contractor at our head office in Chennai. I will ask the engineers to file a criminal case against him if the deck is not finished by the end of December,” said an official, who did not want to be named.

D V Raghunath, a resident of Puttenahalli Ring Road, whose house is located right in front of the underpass works, is an exhausted man. Raghunath waited for some time after work started last year at the site. The underpass work not only made him immobile but has also cut off water supply lines. He says: “The work completely cut off my house, and we cannot move out, so we had to shift to Jayanagar. Though we are waiting for the underpass to be finished, work seems to be going on forever. We even tried to approach court but BBMP conveniently washed its hands of everything by putting the blame on contractors and showing that they had fined them.’’

KADIRENAHALLI UNDERPASS
The JN-NURM project at Kadirenalli road junction Outer Ring Road was started in March 2008 at an estimated cost of Rs 28.72 crore, which was supposed to be completed in 10 months. But even after 21 months, project work is still crawling at snail’s pace and has also thrown traffic movement in the area in disarray.
“The issue here is land acquisition. Once we overcome that hurdle, probably by the end of January, then work will speed up,” said the official.

“Business has been dull for the past one year. A bakery and a restaurant next to my complex were shutdown because they were running on loss,’’ rues Kumar K, a businessman near the underpass construction work. Beside the construction site is a dusty field, in which all the lorries are parked. Commuters take a detour on these roads to reach Padmanabhanagar.

“The ride through these roads near the construction work is extremely dangerous. We ride over iron rods and nails everyday. And we need to travel an extra kilometre to reach home,’’ stated Laisy Thomas, a resident of Kumaraswamy Layout. The latest deadline seems to be March 2010, but again, the ground reality shows that it is obvious work will not be complete by the next deadline.

TAGORE CIRCLE UNDERPASS
One of the most controversial underpass works at Tagore Circle in Basavanagudi, under JN-NURM, has drawn the ire of residents as well as several NGOs. Project work, with an estimated cost of Rs 19.49 crore started in October this year at the ‘staggered’ junction, is supposed to connect two roads at different locations on KR Road. Work is being slowed down due to shifting of water lines, the authorities informed TOI.

But the underpass has drawn wide criticism from local residents and even had people starting online petition campaigns, urging people to sign the cause to stop the work. The residents mainly feel that the underpass is unnecessary infrastructure when there was not much of a problem. Though BBMP anticipates high traffic density in the coming years, residents dismiss the idea.

“I filed an RTI about the roads under my ward three weeks ago. The authorities asked me to wait because even they didn’t know which ones belonged where after delimitation,’’ says S R Venkatram, member of the resident welfare association on BP Wadia Road in Basavanagudi.

Apart from these infrastructure works, now Metro work in Jayanagar South End stretch and Vijayanagar area has also made commuting a challenge.

“The traffic jam gets real bad during peak hours. It takes 10 minutes to cross 100 m on these roads,’’ said Nagendra G, a businessman, near Metro work in Vijayanagar.

POTHOLES EVERYWHERE
Potholes have been a major woe of commuters in almost all locations. Vasanth P, a private company employee at JP Nagar, says that each year though the roads are re-laid, the road is pitted after a month.

Though there are several problems in the South, expectations are high that once the elected representatives are in the corporation, infrastructure issues would be addressed quickly.

A Shangri-La in the suburbs - dnaindia.com

2010-07-29T15:42:00.000+05:30

A Shangri-La in the suburbs - dnaindia.com

A Shangri-La in the suburbs

PK Surendran / DNA
Monday, December 21, 2009 8:39

“At the tail-end?” sneers Banaswadi (KR Puram) MLA Nandish Reddy with disbelief. This was in response to the DNA-IMRS survey of top localities of Greater Bangalore where Banaswadi stands 19th. “We are on top for two reasons: we are one of the few localities in New Bangalore which still has the space and will to develop, and we’ve the locational advantage.”

As a people’s representative, Reddy has every right to react this way. And, his perception, it was found, was widely shared by prominent people residing in this North-Eastern part of the city.

New Banaswadi today broadly consists of Ramamurthy Nagar, Kammanahally, Kalyan Nagar and surrounding layouts. Its locational advantage is that it has the quickest access to the south and north of the city, like Whitefield and Bangalore International Airport, thanks to the Ring Road.

“A suburb with all the trappings of the core city,” is how a resident friend described Banaswadi. “The world,” he says, “is coming to Banaswadi, not the other way round.” He points out how a lot many commercial ventures such as Megamart, Koutons, Nilgiri’s and a host of others are moving in to Banaswadi. Bringing brand movement is a good indication of the growing status of a city, he reasons.

“We are at least on par with Indiranagar today,” protests Srinivasa Raju, a builder and old resident. “Not one of the 20.” He goes on to explain why. In 2000, the new Banaswadi, now developed by BDA, commanded a property price of Rs300-400 per square foot. Today, it is Rs3000-4000, and in hipper places it goes to Rs5000. And, even today, if you buy a flat here, it is going to bring you a windfall, mind you.”

“True,” vouches Jiji Johnson, an executive living near Kasturi Nagar. “Today, we don’t have to go to Brigade Road or Shivaji Nagar to shop for garments or utility items. We have almost all the big brands here, starting from Fresh vegetable store to Levi’s jeans.”

Banaswadi is synonymous with the Anjaneya temple whose presiding deity, say believers, has blessed this place so much so that women can go strolling at 10 pm. Sarvagna Nagar MLA KJ George too agrees that Banaswadi is one swell place that has a future.

Banaswadi’s exposed nerve—lack of sewage and water supply—are being solved with projects in the offing. “With the Metro terminals coming up near Kasturi Nagar, this place could be as rich and famous as MG Road,” he says.

Banaswadi’s arterial road however faces a traffic jam at peak hours. But it has enough lung space in the form of at least six parks and a thick foliage of green spread over six square kilometres. Banaswadi has nine big restaurants and a dozen bistros where one can hang out for an evening.

“Even a restaurant to serve Arabian food! Can you beat that?” asks Ramesh Raju, a medical representative at old Banaswadi. He says besides the major hospitals, Cenesis, Sathya Sai Baba Hospital, Dewan’s Hospital and Narayan Nilaya Maternity Hospital, there are 10 other clinics and hospitals that provide to the health requirements of the people here. “It’s not claustrophobic, living here, you know. There’s enough open space and free air.”

Banaswadi does not claim to have many celebrities as with Jayanagar or Indiranagar has but it has made up for it with the super crooner of a bygone era—Manna Dey—who lives in Kalyan Nagar. “We want to be known as a middle-class paradise,” says Reddy, when asked about the shakers and movers living there.

India's metros see a major water scarcity!: Rediff.com Business

2010-07-29T15:41:00.000+05:30

India's metros see a major water scarcity!: Rediff.com Business: "India's metros see a major water scarcity!
Last updated on: December 21, 2009�15:23 IST"

Boom towns stare at dry-up scare

2010-07-29T15:38:00.000+05:30

Boom towns stare at dry-up scare

Boom towns stare at dry-up scare
Sreelatha Menon / New Delhi December 21, 2009, 0:03 IST
This is the first in a series on water woes faced by the country’s biggest cities and the lack of strategy to deal with the crisis that bothers every household.

This week the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will decide if Mumbaikars, who are already coping with 15 per cent reduction in water supply, have to go without water once a week.

Water scarcity, made more acute this year due to deficient rain, is not a problem specific to the country’s financial capital. Growth appears to have come to many cities at the expense of water, as expansion has turned their taps dry, rivers dirty and got expenses skyrocketing. Local administration in these cities are yet to find a way to deal with their changed water needs.
Of the seven cities covered by this Business Standard series — Delhi, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai — only Bangalore is taking its water seriously enough to tap rain water and meter every drop, while the Capital is content blaming migrants for its woes at the same time winking at rampant wastage of ground and river water.

Chennai is zero-metered, while Mumbai is yet to set up its desalination plants or take rain water harvesting seriously.

Lack of transparency is acute in all the cities, except Bangalore, as little is possible to be known without volumetric metering of water usage.

Most cities complain of existing water sources like lakes and rivers drying up, and all, except Bangalore, Delhi and Chandigarh, lack meters.

Bangalore alone claims that 90 per cent of its meters are functioning, while in the national capital almost half the water supplied is yet to be accounted for.

BMC officials say the municipal body has stepped up its efforts to check wastage and pilferage, the two combined responsible for at least 20 per cent loss, but the efforts are yet to be visible on the ground level.

Nowhere is ground water being treasured as a source, though it fulfills much of the cities’ needs. Misuse of water is rampant, but it does not attract any penalties anywhere, except in drought-hit Indore, where a water emergency is on this year. Chandigarh is another which has offered incentives to those using treated sewage water for gardening and non-drinking purposes.

In Kolkata, there is a problem of plenty. The city’s water department takes the river Hooghly for granted and is yet to install meters.

In Bhopal, like Kolkata, meters are for another age and time, which rules out charges for the usage or checking misuse.

The city lives off the Upper Lake, which ran dry last summer — a warning that forced the government to wake up. Still, it eagerly awaits a project that will bring water from the Narmada.

In IT capital Bangalore, water is served in electronically metered litres and now it has begun talking of a parallel pipeline to supply rain water to meet the demands of the fast expanding city.

A World Bank report, which along with the Urban Development Ministry did a benchmark study of 10 cities, found no link between consumption and charges payable by the consumer in most of the cities, barring Hyderabad and Bangalore. Out of the 10 cities, the World Bank found only three financially viable.

The multilateral agency suggested benchmarking or measurement of performance of each supply system on certain key parameters, to enable efficiency or at least a movement toward it. The study was conducted three years ago. But till date, not much has changed as far as data collection is concerned. If implemented, this alone could lead to further steps to curb misuse and increase production through other sources like rain water harvesting and protecting existing resources.

DNA - Print This Article - Karnataka government talks of discount to sell rain water harvesting - Daily News & Analysis

2010-07-29T15:37:00.000+05:30

DNA - Print This Article - Karnataka government talks of discount to sell rain water harvesting - Daily News & Analysis

Karnataka government talks of discount to sell rain water harvesting

Srikanth Hunasavadi / DNA
Friday, December 18, 2009 8:26

The state government is planning to give five to 10% rebate on the water bill for those who have put into practice rain water harvesting (RWH) at their houses in the city. The move is to encourage the building owners —of both residential and commercial buildings —- to adopt RWH.

“The state government is already giving a discount in the electricity bill to those who use solar energy devices and thus save energy. Likewise, we are thinking of giving a rebate for those who adopt RWH,” said IT-BT minister Katta Subramanya Naidu, also in charge of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB). “The matter has already been discussed in the BWSSB board meeting. The exact rebate percentage will be announced in a week,” Naidu said.

The minister said that the BWSSB Act had been amended to make rainwater harvesting compulsory for new buildings in Bangalore. “The rule will be extended to all cities in the state. It will be applicable to all new buildings coming up in the city, including buildings of the government, educational institutions and also commercial ones. The government will pass the legislation in the next budget session,” the minister said.

“The matter has been discussed with the chief minister, the horticulture department and the PWD, all of whom have agreed to the proposal. We can solve 40- 45% of the urban water problems this way. If rain water is properly harvested, it will meet the city’s needs for six months a year,” the minister said.

Citizen Matters, Bangalore: Water security: a helpful RWH learning session

2010-07-29T15:36:00.000+05:30

Citizen Matters, Bangalore: Water security: a helpful RWH learning session: "Water security: a helpful RWH learning session
At a workshop on ‘Water Reality and Solutions’ held recently at Sarjapur Road, citizens facing severe water scarcity found answers to questions on RWH, groundwater recharging and more."

Conference on rainwater harvesting - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

2010-07-29T15:34:00.001+05:30

Conference on rainwater harvesting - Bangalore - City - The Times of India: "BANGALORE: Rainwater harvesting and groundwater management techniques were the focus of the day.

The National Conference on Urban Water Management in Bangalore ended on Tuesday with experts discussing several technical papers.

Secretary of urban development ministry M Ramachandran said the number of towns and cities in India have increased from 4,615 in 1991 to 5,161 in 2001. According to him, at least 91% of urban population has access to water supply while 63% has access to sewerage and sanitation facilities. 'But adequacy, equitable distribution and per capita provision of these basic services may not be as per prescribed norms. There is no assurance on quantity, quality, timing and duration of supply,' Ramachandran said.

According to a study done across 20 cities by the ministry, water (average per day) through pipes is supplied for 5 hours in Chennai, 12 hours in Chandigarh, eight hours in Kolkata, seven hours in Varanasi, two-and-a-half-hours in Surat, four-and-a-half-h"

The Hindu : Front Page : Bangalore gridlocks getting worse day by day

2010-07-29T15:34:00.000+05:30

The Hindu : Front Page : Bangalore gridlocks getting worse day by day

Bangalore gridlocks getting worse day by day

M.T. Shiva Kumar and Deepika Arwind
Police blame infrastructure works for choking more than half our roads
— PHOTO: SAMPATH KUMAR G.P.

LONG WAY TO GO: Traffic officials say the city will have to grin and bear it for the next two years till the ongoing works are completed.
Bangalore: The ongoing work on infrastructure projects is creating gridlocks in various parts of Bangalore city and road users more often than not end up in traffic snarls every day.

As the work on Namma Metro, flyovers, underpasses, elevated highways and other civic works picks up pace ahead of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls, traffic bottlenecks have become commonplace across the city.

Motorists, especially office-goers, find themselves stuck in Vijaynagar, Nagarabavi, Magadi Road, Peenya, Sunkadakatte, Old Madras Road, Domlur, Old Airport Road, Yeshwanthpur, Sumanahalli, Ibbalur, Kadirenahalli, Tumkur Road, BTM Layout and other areas.

Most traffic officials say that the city will have to grin and bear it for the next two years till the ongoing works are completed. At some places, especially on Mysore Road, Tumkur Road, Old Madras Road and Hosur Road, traffic clogs up at least 25 times a day, said a senior police official.

However, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security) Pravin Sood prefers to describe what is happening in another way. “There are no traffic jams in the city. But the speed has been reduced due to various development works,” he said.

“With about 1,000 new vehicles rolling out on our roads every day to the estimated 40 lakh plying on the choked roads, this is an unprecedented situation,” he told The Hindu on Tuesday.

Apart from construction of flyovers and roads, major works by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company also contribute to the traffic congestion.

The city will get a major facelift in the next two years after the infrastructure works are completed. When Namma Metro rolls out in December 2010, gridlocks hopefully will be a thing of the past, said an optimistic Mr. Sood.

His colleague Panduranga H. Rane, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic West), also took a similar stance, attributing the gridlocks to infrastructure works. “Bangaloreans will have to wait for over two years,” he said. The development works are a boon as no other city is growing at this pace even though 50 to 60 per cent of the roads have been affected due to this.

Long-suffering
Motorists, who have to pass through the Ulsoor Gurudwara junction, appear to be some of the worst hit in the traffic scenario in the city. Making one’s way past the signal, particularly, during peak hours, is turning out to be a nightmare with vehicles coming from Swami Vivekananda Road and M.G. Road meeting those on Old Madras Road head on.

But as the road is narrow, there is an inevitable delay of at least 20 minutes during peak hours. It gets worse when there is no one to man the traffic. Says Amarjeet Singh, a regular on this route: “Ever since this became a two-way, there is more chaos. Using this road before 9 a.m. is difficult,” he says.

Pedestrian hazards
This junction is a problem for pedestrians or cyclists who dare not venture during peak hours. Those who come out of the small service lane in front of the gurudwara have to wait interminably before they can cross the road. They include students and teachers coming from Gangadhar Chetty Road.

PIB Press Release

2010-07-29T15:33:00.001+05:30

PIB Press Release

Dr. M.Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development inaugurated two- days( 14-15th Dec.) Workshop on Service Level Benchmarks - “Towards improving service outcomes”, here today. Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary stated that the service level benchmarking framework is one of the fundamental building blocks of the soft infrastructure that the cities need to build. He emphasised that the Government should support the states and the cities that adopt the framework and move towards greater accountability to people by regular disclosure of service levels. “We should think of the need to support performance improvement plans and information systems improvement plans. This should form an important element of our future strategy and can be built into all our initiatives such as the JNNURM, UIDSSMT and externally aided projects,” he said.

The Secretary further mentioned that by providing an opportunity for introspection and self-improvement, the practice of benchmarking will improve service delivery, strengthen accountability, bring in greater transparency, help in optimal resource allocation and prioritising of activities, and facilitate PPP. He said that it is also consistent with the need for regulation – an idea which is increasingly gaining momentum in the urban service delivery sector. Benchmarking also becomes highly relevant in view of rising customer expectations, demands for more efficient performance and ever increasing quality standards, he added.

Referring to Benchmarking in the urban service delivery sector he informed that it has been done in South East Asia in countries such as the Philippines where it has been used by the National Water Resources Board to set tariffs that are fair to consumers and utilities. He said that the International Benchmarking Network for water and sanitation utilities was started by the World Bank in the 1990s, to link performance information from utilities around the world. The Water Utility Partnership (WUP) for capacity building in Africa launched in 1996 took up a project called a ‘Service Providers’ Performance Indicators and Benchmarking Network to provide utilities with sustainable arrangements for compiling and sharing performance data. He informed that during the first year, 21 utilities from 15 countries participated. The project was then extended to cover the rest of the utilities in Africa. Currently, the database covers the performance of 110 utilities from 40 countries in Africa.

Dr. M. Ramachandran stated that a study of Urban Water utilities by the Ministry and Water Sanitation Programme (WSP) in 2005 revealed wide diversity in respect of most indicators. Coverage ranged from 45% in Bhubaneswar to 100% in Chandigarh. Production also presented a diverse picture from 102 LPCD in Indore to 608 LPCD in Jamshedpur. There was no metering in Indore whereas Hyderabad had almost 93% metering. He said that the study by the Ministry in collaboration with ADB in 2007 which covered the water supply sector in 20 cities revealed that the coverage of water supply services was only 81.2% and

metering was only 24.5%. The average water availability was 4.3 hours, average level of Unaccounted for water was 31.8% and the average operating ratio was way too high at 1.63. He further stated, “Though these studies were in the nature of one off exercises they highlighted the need for arriving at a standard set of indicators, standardising the definition of the indicators and the tremendous value that can be obtained from institutionalising the practice of benchmarking by integrating it with the day to day working of the utility be it an urban local body or a parastatal organisation”.

Talking about the formulation of benchmarks, the Secretary said that Ministry decided to take the initiative a step forward by initiating a pilot project in the implementation of benchmarking which would include not only documentation of baselines but more importantly performance improvement planning and information systems improvement planning. Appreciating the states which have taken concrete steps to enlarge the scope of this initiative, he mentioned that Karnataka has been proactive in introducing a benchmarking framework which covers sectors such as financial performance, parks and gardens, disease control, roadside drains and street lighting in addition to the water and sanitation sector. The framework is comprehensive and covers all the three tiers i.e the Urban Local Body, the Directorate of Municipal Administration and the Urban Development department at the state level. Performance in respect of these benchmarks will be used to incentivise grants to ULBs from the State Finance Commissions, he added. Manuals as well as software titled “SLB online application” have been prepared for institutionalising the benchmarking framework. In Bangalore, an electronic system is being developed for uploading of data at ward/zone level. The Government of Orissa has decided to institute SLB cells in the two cities of Bhubaneswar and Berhampur which were a part of the pilot initiative and the State Government. He informed that the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh has initiated operationalization of the SLB framework and performance improvement planning in 14 municipal corporations of the State. It is also exploring ways to integrate the benchmarking framework into the decision making process at the municipal and state level. Similarly, he mentioned that Andhra Pradesh is planning to scale up the SLB framework to 11 priority towns. The Governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat with support from the Bill and Gates Melinda Foundation are implementing a performance assessment system which is aimed at state-wide adaptation of the SLB framework covering 400 cities.

The pilot project on the implementation of benchmarking was launched in February 6, 2009. The pilot initiative covers 27 cities spread across 14 states and one UT, including 16 JNNURM cities. The SLB initiative is being implemented under a unique partnership arrangement with six development agencies i.e. Water Sanitation Program – South Asia (WSP-SA), JICA, GTZ, DfID, Gates Foundation and PROOF. These consist of a diverse mix of cities, ranging from small towns under one lakh population to mega-cities of 15 million, located in plains/ coastal/ hilly regions, with varied climatic conditions and institutional arrangements for service delivery. The intention behind launching the pilot initiative is to effectively demonstrate the applicability of the SLB framework under all operating environments.

Fingers crossed to get a drop of water | | | Indian Express

2010-07-29T15:33:00.000+05:30

Fingers crossed to get a drop of water | | | Indian Express

Fingers crossed to get a drop of water

Kavitha Kushalappa First Published : 13 Dec 2009 04:36:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 13 Dec 2009 07:19:12 AM IST
BANGALORE: That a national conference on “Urban Water Management— Challenges and Options’ is being organised in Bangalore, soon after the announcement of the calendar of events for elections to the BBMP, should be a welcome coincidence.
It is more so because the non-profit organiser, the Centre for Sustainable Development, is chaired by the former chief secretary Dr A Ravindra, who is now the adviser to the CM on urban affairs. He was also the architect of the draft urban development policy released by the state government recently.
The draft policy incidentally has a brief reference to the controversial privatisation of water supply. Besides, experts like former irrigation secretary Captain Raja Rao have often pointed out that with the 500 mld (million litres per day) Cauvery Stage IV, Stage Phase II project expected to be commissioned in 2012, the city will exhaust its allotted share of 19 TMC ft Cauvery water. The recent efforts to revive the Arkavathy must therefore focus more on recharging the ground water table than surface water, he said.
Fears on the availability of drinking water for an expanding city was pronounced during the BBMP’s formation in 2006-07.
Three years on, there are no quick solutions. The three-day meet begins on Sunday with a field visit by delegates.
Treats: bitter and sweet
A BWSSB chief engineer said that the BWSSB wants the industries segment to seriously consider buying treated, nonportable water. “We are preparing to place the matter on the table during the Global Investors Meet,” he said pointing out that at present, Bengaluru International Airport Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited procures a small quantity of water treated at BWSSB’s Yelahanka treatment plant.
BWSSB’s daily supply of drinking water to Bangalore remains around 900 mld. The former CMCs and other new areas making the BBMP shall have to wait till 2012 for the 500 mld from Cauvery State IV, Stage Phase II to fill their total need. Only 30 per cent of these areas receive Cauvery water.
The 60 mld augmented by the Netkal Balancing Reservoir has by far been the only addition to the daily supply in the city in the last three years.
Verticals and theories
Officials pointed out that even when planning for the newlyintegrated areas, the BWSSB has to contend with the increase in demand in the core area. The latter has seen “extensive vertical growth” and water consumption has obviously increased, it was said.
This vertical growth has also compounded the problem of Cauvery water supply in the integrated areas like KR Puram, Mahadevapura and Dasarahalli.
These three fall in the “end point” of the supply pipeline and reach is difficult due to lack of pressure, they said.
In recent years, there have been talks about a return to Bangalore’s lakes for its drinking water needs, but progress seems to be little. As officials put it, “it is only theoretical.”
Electric crematorium in Beggar’s colony
With the existing burial grounds and crematoria being over-loaded, the BBMP on Saturday inaugurated a new electric crematorium at Beggar’s colony.
Rajarajeswarinagar MLA M Srinivas inaugurated the crematoria.
The BBMP has provided additional crematoria at various places in the city to cope with the unnatural load. The crematorium is situated adjacent to the Outer Ring Road near Magadi Road. With a central plaza, stage, ritual platform and waiting halls, it also includes two furnaces. The BBMP now has 11 electric crematoria in the city.

Residents wake up to sewage smelling | | | Indian Express

2010-07-29T15:32:00.001+05:30

Residents wake up to sewage smelling | | | Indian Express

Residents wake up to sewage smelling

Express News Service First Published : 12 Dec 2009 05:14:20 AM ISTLast Updated : 12 Dec 2009 10:44:40 AM IST
BANGALORE: It’s been over four months now but for the residents of HAL II Stage, 12th Main, there is no respite from the foul-smelling sewage of a clogged pipeline.
The sewage pipeline running across the street is clogged and the stagnant water raises a stink in the entire locality.
“The sewage water gets accumulated inside the compound next door and the stink forces us to remain indoors most times,” said Padma Ganapathi, a resident.
“The water gets stagnant next to our house and the stink gets unbearable. This is everyday issue which has started along with the monsoon season,” she added.
Residents tried to get the problem fixed, but the problem resurfaced. Several complaints by to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) failed.
“After complaining for so long, the board had cleared the stagnant water with the help of jetting machine just two days ago, but the place is again filled with water,” she said. The residents complain that the place has become a breeding zone for mosquitoes.
However, BWSSB sources said that after receiving a complaint, a jetting machine drained out the water. The officials assured they Bangalore, December 7 IT’S been over four months now but for the residents of HAL II Stage, 12th Main, there is no respite from the foul-smelling sewage of a clogged pipeline.
The sewage pipeline running across the street is clogged and the stagnant water raises a stink in the entire locality.
“The sewage water gets accumulated inside the compound next door and the stink forces us to remain indoors most times,” said Padma Ganapathi, a resident.
“The water gets stagnant next to our house and the stink gets unbearable. This is everyday issue which has started along with the monsoon season,” she added.
Residents tried to get the problem fixed, but the problem resurfaced. Several complaints by to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) failed.
“After complaining for so long, the board had cleared the stagnant water with the help of jetting machine just two days ago, but the place is again filled with water,” she said. The residents complain that the place has become a breeding zone for mosquitoes.
However, BWSSB sources said that after receiving a complaint, a jetting machine drained out the water. The officials assured they

Repair work leaves many areas waterless - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

2010-07-29T15:32:00.000+05:30

Repair work leaves many areas waterless - Bangalore - City - The Times of India

BANGALORE: 72 hours without water supply. That's the plight of the residents of V V Puram, Kaval Byrasandra, Cambridge Layout, some parts of Sahakarnagar, BSK 2nd Stage and parts of Malleswaram.

Although the two-day maintenance work by the BWSSB has ended in all these areas, water supply hasn't resumed. A BWSSB spokesperson said: "In areas where water is supplied every alternate day, if one day is missed, then they are likely to receive supply on the fourth day. In others, we've started supplying water from Thursday evening.''

B S Mani of V V Puram, exasperated by the BWSSB, said: "It's most unfortunate that the engineers had not calculated the pressure of water a pipe can carry. That's why the pipe on the Lalbagh West Gate main road burst and repair work was inevitable. The work has stopped but there's no respite for us. BWSSB stopped water supply for two days but we didn't receive any water on the third day as well. The situation is pathetic," Mani added.

A block of Sahakarnagar usually gets water once every three days, and even seven days at times. M R Seetharam, a resident of this area, said: "We have not received water since Tuesday. The situation has forced us to build huge water tanks, which can store water for four days. If we do not receive water supply on Saturday, we have find other ways. The situation gets worse when repair work is undertaken in the locality."

While Shashi from Kaval Byrasandra said that on Thursday evening, the locality did receive some water, it wasn't sufficient for the next two days. Suma Raj, a resident of 2nd Cross, Malleswaram, said: "We haven't received water for the past two days but we've managed. But now, what do we do?"

The BWSSB assurance doesn't seem to have reached these people in utter distress. They will be happy only when they finnaly get to water flowing their taps.

Gammon India, Pratibha Ind consortium bags Rs 309-cr project

2010-07-29T15:27:00.000+05:30

Gammon India, Pratibha Ind consortium bags Rs 309-cr project: "Gammon India, Pratibha Ind consortium bags Rs 309-cr project
Mumbai, Dec 1 (PTI):

Engineering and construction firm Gammon India Ltd today said the consortium of the company and Pratibha Industries Ltd has bagged a Rs 309-crore contract from Bangalore civic body.

The project involves procurement, fabrication and laying of clear water main from Vajarahalli to HRB on the east of Bangalore, Gammon India said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The contract has been awarded by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.

Gammon is the lead partner with 51 per cent controlling interest in the joint venture, which has been entrusted with the project, it said.

Gammon India is involved in the development of infrastructure projects on public private partnership (PPP) basis through its subsidiaries.
The company has18 projects in the roads, bridges, ports, hydroelectric power and biomass power sectors.

Shares of Gammon India closed at Rs 238.85, up 1.79 per cent from the previous close on the BSE."

Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!

2010-07-29T15:26:00.000+05:30

Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!
MANGALORE Nov 30: The council of the Mangalore City Corporation in its meeting on Monday gave its consent to the proposal for a round-the-clock drinking water supply scheme under public-private participation (PPP) model.

It approved a proposal to ask the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) to prepare a detailed project report and tender documents to this effect. The agenda placed before the council to this effect said that the 24x7 water supply scheme would have to be implemented without any additional financial burden on the civic body. The meeting agreed to authorise the KUIDFC to prepare the documents required to get funds for the 24x7 scheme from the India Infrastructure Project Development Fund (IIPDF) programme of the Union Government.

Infrastructure projects

The council agreed that the city corporation could take into possession some infrastructure projects developed by the KUIDFC for the civic body under Karnataka Urban Development and Coastal Environment Management Project (KUDCEMP). Such projects had been developed under the loan from the Asian Development Bank.

They included four water supply pump houses built at Ladyhill, Maryhill, Padil and Panambur and four ground-level reservoirs at Padil (120 lakh litres capacity), Bondel (15 lakh litres), Soojikal and Ullasnagar (both 10 lakh litres).

In addition, the council approved to take into possession eight overhead tanks of 10-lakh-litre capacity each built at Padavainangady, Panambur, near NITK-Surathkal, Katipalla, near Govindadasa College in Surathkal, Kadri Circuit House, near Neerumarga Road at Kudupu and near Mangala Jyothi school at Thiruvail. Three more overhead tanks of 15-lakh-litre capacity constructed at Chilimbi, Bala and near Mangala stadium, and two overhead tanks of five-lakh-litre capacity at Sisters’ Colony and Padupadavu would also be taken over.

The city corporation will take over the 14-km-long and 1,100-mm-diameter main water supply pipeline laid from Ramalkatte to Padil on NH 48. In addition, 80 MLD capacity water treatment plant at Ramalkatte and 23.5 MLD capacity water filtration plant at Panambur would also be taken over. Members of the Opposition Congress in the council staged a walkout during Question Hour protesting against the civic body implementing the revised master plan for Mangalore local planning area. The master plan had been prepared by Mangalore Urban Development Authority.

Leader of the Opposition Harinath said that under the revised master plan poor and middle class people would find it difficult to construct houses in small plots. The Mayor should make his stand clear whether the civic body would give permission for constructing houses in such sites or not, he said.

Mayor M. Shankar Bhat said that the Minister for Urban Development, S. Suresh Kumar, had convened a meeting to discuss this subject at Bangalore on Wednesday. A decision to this effect would be taken after that meeting. However, Mr. Harinath said, the council should take a decision to this effect in the council meeting. Unconvinced with the Mayor’s reply the Congress members staged a walk-out.

Many members alleged that streetlights in the city were not being maintained properly. To this, K.N. Vijayaprakash, Commissioner, said that officials had been instructed to address the problem. When members demanded that door numbers be allotted to houses, which had been temporarily suspended, the Mayor ruled that the officials should allot door numbers according to the rules under The Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act.

The Mayor said that the Government was likely to come out with an Ordinance regarding the “Akrama-Sakrama” scheme shortly. Mr. Vijayaprakash said that the civic body would wait till the Ordinance was issued for resuming allotment of door numbers. It was because the provisions in the Ordinance and the KMC Act should not clash while allotting door numbers, he said.

Hindu

Karnataka hikes power tariff by 34.16 paise/unit - Business Line -

2010-07-29T15:22:00.000+05:30

Karnataka hikes power tariff by 34.16 paise/unit - Business Line -

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), on Wednesday, increased the power tariff in the State by an average of 34.16 paise/ unit.
This roughly works out to a hike of about 7.5% as against 51 paise hike sought by the Escoms (Electricity supply companies). The new tariff will come into effect from December 1.

For the first time, each of the five electricity supplying companies in the State will have slightly different tariffs instead of the present system of uniform tariff as the KERC issued a differential tariff order. The hike varies for each category of consumers.

Power consumers in BESCOM (Better customer care) area including Bangalore will have to pay an additional 40.11 paise/ unit on an average, while the consumers of other Escoms will have to bear with an average increase ranging from 24.87 to 26.57 paise/ unit.

The good news for the domestic consumers in all the Escoms is that there is no increase in tariff for the first 100 units consumed by them.

They have to pay an additional 30 paise/ unit for the consumption from 101 to 200 units, and additional 40 paise from 200 to 300 units, 50 paise from 300 to 400 units and 120 paise for the consumption above 400 units.

Sources said this has been done with a twin objective of ensuring that poor and lower middle class families are not affected and also to discourage indiscriminate use of power by upper middle class and rich segments.

The KERC has continued its previous exercise of classifying consumers as three categories of those in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, urban local bodies and village panchayat areas.

The increase for those in ULBs and VPs are lesser than those in BBMP area. The Irrigation Pump Sets and Bhagya Jyothi/Lutir Jyothi consumers have been spared from hike.

Similarly, the tariff has been increased by 15 to 55 paise / unit for Low Tension (LT) commercial categories in BBMP.

The tariff for LT industries has not been changed for the first 500 units, while they have to pay an additional 35 paise for the consumption between 501 and 1000 units and 30 paise for consumption above 1000 units.
There is an increase of 35 paise and 30 paise / unit for the HT and LT water supply respectively while the street light tariff has gone up by 5 paise/ unit.

There is steep increase of 75 paise to one rupee/ unit for temporary supply.

The increase in tariff for the second slab of consumption among HT industries has been kept lower than that of the first slab to promote power consumption by these high-paying categories.

But the industries have cold shouldered this by pointing out that they are already facing load shedding due to power shortage.

The tariff for HT industries has been increased by 50 paise/ unit for the consumption upto one lakh Kilowatt hours while they have to pay an additional 30 paise for the consumption beyond one lakh KWHs.

The HT commercial categories such as shopping malls will have to bear with a steep hike of 75 to 80 paise/ unit while the HT residential apartments will have to pay 70 paise more for every unit.

Capture the rain | | | Indian Express

2010-07-29T15:16:00.000+05:30

Capture the rain | | | Indian Express

Capture the rain

Express News Service First Published : 19 Nov 2009 05:22:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 19 Nov 2009 07:51:13 AM IST
SEEMS like Bangalore is getting more serious about cracking down on those who do not make good use of rain water. Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) Chairman PB Ramamurthy said on Wednesday, “The department will cut water supply to those who do not comply with the ‘Rain Water Harvesting’ (RWH) norms.” After inaugurating RWH Help Desk at Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology’s (KSCST) premises, Ramamurthy said that according to the norms all houses that are constructed in plots measuring 2,400 sqft and above must install RWH mechanism by the end of September 2010.
BWSSB and KSCST will be organising various programmes in different parts of the city to create awareness about RWH and to promote its implementation.
Measures have been taken to ensure that the RWH mechanism is installed in all government buildings in the city within the next three months. BWSSB has already installed RWH in 20 of its buildings and is in the process of installing it in 12 more buildings.
“To make the advanced of RWH available to the people we are providing free certified training to 1,000 plumbers, contractors and architects. The names and contact details of the trained people would be posted on BWSSB’s workshop to facilitate the installation of RWH. All the details pertaining to RWH can be obtained from our helpdesk,” he added.
The helpdesk will be open from Monday to Friday in between 9.00 am and 5.30 pm.
bngexpresso@expressbuzz.com

Way forward for India’s urban reforms-Special Report-Sunday ET-Features-The Economic Times

2010-07-29T15:15:00.001+05:30

Way forward for India’s urban reforms-Special Report-Sunday ET-Features-The Economic Times

Reforms in the urban sector have become necessary to ensure sustainable development, efficient infrastructure services and strong local governance. It is recognising this point that when the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission was launched as a major flagship programme in December, 2005, it was emphasised that the main thrust of the revised strategy of urban renewal will be to ensure improvement in urban governance. The idea is that the urban local bodies and para-statal agencies like Development Authorities etc. should become financially sound, their credit rating should go up so that ability to access markets for capital for new programmes and expansion of services is facilitated.

The JNNURM envisage states and cities undertaking a total of 23 reforms during the 7-year mission period from 2005 to 2012. Milestones have been set for such reform implementation. The reform process has taken off and good progress has been made by states and cities though all the milestones as per original schedule have not been met.

As a result of the reforms implementation, the community participation law has been passed by nine states, public disclosure law has been enacted by 16 states, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have abolished the urban land ceiling legislation, nine states have rationalised stamp duty to the desired level of 5%, 29 local bodies have shifted to accrual-based double entry system of accounting, 45 local bodies out of 65 mission cities have started earmarking funds for the urban poor, three states of North East have for the first time passed legislation for constitution of urban local bodies and Jharkhand held urban local body election after a gap of 22 years. Twenty four states have introduced computerised process of registration of land and property and 47 city bodies have undertaken revision of by-laws for rain water harvesting.

The above would show inclination of states and cities to travel along the reforms path. What is needed now is a more effective implementation of the reform agenda and a frank introspection of what it has meant for the cities’ residents. So while on the one hand the present reform agenda has to be implemented in letter and spirit, cities themselves have to start the thinking in terms of what next?

Since almost all the 7-year allocation of funds for the mission by the central government stands committed as of now, we may take up new projects and programmes when more resources become available. It is probably time now to think about the next generation of reforms. A fine tuned reform agenda could focus on 24x7 water supply for cities, distribution efficiency of water to be substantially improved as per set targets, desired level of access to drinking water for all households, definite achievement of targets of bringing down wastage of water from the national average of about 50% to desired level of 15%, defined accountability towards consumers by the water utility, substantial recycling of waste water so that there is effective saving of water etc.

Reform agenda should also focus on definite milestones to be achieved as far as service level benchmarking set for water supply, sewerage and storm water drainage, solid waste management, e-governance and urban transport sectors are concerned. Step by step definite action to achieve the objective of the national urban sanitation policy and concerted efforts by cities to achieve the sustainable habitat mission objectives through improvements in energy efficiency, efficiency in buildings, urban planning, improved management of solid and liquid waste including recycling and power generation, modal shift towards public transport and conservation.

Broadly what is required is to build up further the momentum created in states and cities to bring about substantial changes in urban governance so that residents of the city are provided with larger benefits and lesser inconveniences without having to ask for it.

SPML wins consolidated orders worth Rs 278 crore for sewage projects | mydigitalfc.com

2010-07-29T15:15:00.000+05:30

SPML wins consolidated orders worth Rs 278 crore for sewage projects | mydigitalfc.com

SPML wins consolidated orders worth Rs 278 crore for sewage projects

 Rs 127 crore order for providing Sewage System at Preet Vihar, Delhi from Delhi Jal Board

 Rs 150.71 crore order for T .K. Halli pipe line project from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board

Mumbai, November 10, 2009: Subhash Projects And Marketing Ltd (SPML) one of India’s leading infrastructure development companies has won cumulative orders worth Rs 277.71 crore. This includes an order from Delhi Jal Board worth Rs 127 crore for providing Sewage System at Preet Vihar, Delhi; and an order worth Rs 150.71 crore from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage board. The order wins reiterate SPML’s growing strength and expertise in the environmental engineering segment.

The Delhi Jal Board order has been commissioned on Design, Build and Operate Basis and involves construction of 53.5 MGD sewage pumping station, rising main and other related associated appurtenant works at Preet Vihar, Delhi. Scope of work involved in the project consists of design, construction, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, trial run, operation and maintenance for 10 years after 1 year defect liability period of the complete works.

The project from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board involves fabrication and laying of Clear Water Transmission Main from T K Halli to J K Doddi including associated works and construction of Surge Tank at J K Doddi. The proposed Clear Water Transmission Main which is part of Cauvery Water Supply Scheme – Stage IV, Phase II of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board, commences from proposed T K Halli Pumping Station and runs up to the proposed Surge Tank at J K Doddi Village. T K Halli pumping station is about 90 Kms south-west of Bangalore in T K Halli village and J K Doddi is about 70 Kms south-west of Bangalore – NH-209.

Mr. Subhash Sethi, Vice Chairman, SPML, commented, “Rising population and the decadent water and sewerage infrastructure of the country is bound to create challenges. SPML has consistently partnered with the government to mitigate these issues and convert them into opportunities and set in place a robust infrastructure for water and sewerage management. As a Total Water Solutions Provider, we are well poised to offer a wide array of services and solutions in the domain of water and waste water”

About Subhash Projects & Marketing Ltd.:

Subhash Projects And Marketing Limited (SPML) is a leading infrastructure development company with more than two and half decades of multi-disciplinary experience in Water, Power, Environment, Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Technology. The company that started in 1981 as a water pumps agency in Guwahati has evolved today into a multi-faceted conglomerate. Promoted by the Sethi family, SPML was incorporated as a public limited company in August 1983. An ISO – 9001: 2000 certified company, SPML has executed more than 400 projects across India and has established its leadership in the contracting business.

SPML has proven business capabilities in the Water, Energy, Environment and Infrastructure domain, on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) & Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis.

SPML’s vision to become a force in the global infrastructure sector is supported by its core strengths – pan India presence, 28 years of experience in turnkey projects, innovative in– house designs and engineering solutions, highly skilled team of over 2000 professionals; complimented by its focus on innovation and cutting edge technology.

Draft urban development policy dreams big | | | Indian Express

2010-07-29T15:11:00.000+05:30

Draft urban development policy dreams big | | | Indian Express
Draft urban development policy dreams big

Express News Service First Published : 14 Nov 2009 08:18:49 AM ISTLast Updated : 14 Nov 2009 09:19:25 AM IST
BANGALORE: Complete with plans for a State Urbanisation Commission, the state version of the national urban renewal mission and an urban version of the state’s ‘bhoomi’ agriculture land records project— the Urban Development Policy draft released by the government on Friday makes for many grand urban dreams.
It came as no surprise that Urban Development Minister Suresh Kumar was quick to brush aside some of its prickly issues: that para statals like the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) shall be brought under the control of their respective urban local bodies (ULBs) or that urban development authorities (UDAs) like the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) shall cease to be for lack of constitutional validity.
“The main focus of the policy is the second and third-tier cities,” he said, even as references to these bodies and also those like the state slum clearance board stand out prominently in the draft.
The government had in December last constituted a committee under former chief secretary Dr A Ravindra to formulate an urban development policy in the context of decentralisation and the need to equip urban local bodies with administrative, financial and technical capacities to manage themselves.
Ravindra was assisted by Ashwin Mahesh from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore in the preparation of the draft policy.
Suresh Kumar said that the said policy shall see Karnataka take the lead in preparing for a time when India is projected to be home to the world’s largest urban population, in 2040. The policy will be taken before the state cabinet in January, he said.
The draft policy is now in the public domain. Besides eliciting suggestions and objections from all local bodies and the cross section of the general public in the state, the government will also seek suggestions from the urban development departments of other states, the Minister said.
The exercise seeking suggestions and objections shall run over the next one month — till December 15.
Water and land for thought
Minister Suresh Kumar’s statement on focus outside Bangalore apart, the draft urban development policy has ample reminders of some controversies. The privatisation of water supply for one.
Highlights
● Separate urban arts/heritage commissions for Bangalore and Mysore and another for the entire state.
● Local bodies to chalk out individual economic development plans.
● KURM on the lines of JNNURM
● Review of various land use regulations for a new urban land policy such that the land acquisitions by KIABD too shall be in consultation with the municipal or planning authorities only.