Bangalore: The BWSSB has revoked the blanket ban on issuing no-objection certificate (NOC) for construction of new apartment complexes in the city that was imposed unofficially after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced in the Assembly that NOC for buildings would not be given unless the building plans indicated a source of water.
However, NOCs for pending applications might take some more time as the BWSSB is going to set up an internal committee to decide on each of these applications and also for future ones. Unlike the past, the BWSSB has decided to act tough while approving construction projects.
Now, it will strictly measure the applications on 24 parameters that have been prescribed for new construction.
“Most of the applications that we received in the past were cleared. This has resulted in many residential buildings in the city, especially on the peripheral areas, which have all other amenities, but no water. People who live in these buildings have to depend on water from private suppliers. This is not a sustainable model for development,” a senior official in BWSSB said.
“Now, we need to make sure all the proposed building projects should adhere to certain good practices for water conservation and ecological sustainability,” he added.
The BWSSB also feels confident about issuing NOC as its latest water project Cauvery Stage IV Phase II is gradually approaching its full capacity of 500 MLD and covering peripheral areas of the city, apart from stabilizing the water situation in the core city.
However, NOCs will not be issued for apartment projects in 110 villages, which are now part of the BBMP but not covered under the BWSSB water supply network, unless they clearly indicate an alternate source of water.
