With BBMP, BWSSB too will be divided!

Bengaluru: The state government’s decision to divide the BBMP into three parts won’t end at trifurcation of the civic agency alone, but will lead to even re-zoning of the BWSSB! According to officials in the board, depending upon the government’s division of the BBMP wards and areas, the BWSSB too will zone its divisions. Presently, the BWSSB functions through 9 divisions and 31 sub-divisions in the city.

If the proposed trifurcation of BBMP into three zones- Central, East and West takes place, the BWSSB is planning to re-zone 9 divisions into three divisions. Every BBMP zone may have 3 BWSSB divisions. For instance, all the East, North East and South East divisions’ connections could come under the East zone of the BBMP.

A source revealed that engineer-in-chief Venkata Raju and chief administrative officer S. Lokesh met members of the B.S Patil Committee to give their inputs regarding re-zoning of the BWSSB divisions.

During the meeting, officials informed the committee that if the divisions are divided into smaller jurisdictions, they could be effectively monitored. So if the government increases the number of wards, then BWSSB too will increase the divisions from 9 to 12, added the source.

“There are reports that government may increase the number of wards. In such a scenario, the BWSSB divisions too will increase,” the official said.

‘Take up only essential works’

BBMP’s new administrator T.M Vijay Bhaskar has advised Palike officials to take up only essential works based on available funds to bring financial discipline in the civic body. Mr Bhaskar and new Commissioner G. Kumar Nayak held a meeting with the officials on Tuesday. Mr Bhaskar sought details of works that are approved but not started and those that have been completed.

He directed the Chief Engineer to upload all the details online. He told the officials to hold three-level checks before the payment is released for such works. “In the first level, students of technical colleges will review the works, followed by the officials in the central head office. Lastly, checks should take place at the bank level,” he said.

Mr Nayak told officials to review documents pertaining to a project before releasing funds. He sought a consolidated report on works from ward engineers. He told the zonal commissioners to form property tax collection teams and inspect all the tech parks, malls, multiplexes, star hotels and super specialty hospitals.