Subbana Garden in Vijayanagar has been facing a common yet often neglected problem
Water gushing out of a pipeline on Subbana Garden road in Vijayanagar
Bengaluru: Subbana Garden in Vijayanagar has been facing a common yet often neglected problem. An underground water line has been leaking for the past few months and the authorities are still pumping water through it every day for at least three hours. This has spoiled the road and much of the precious water is being wasted. When residents complain to the ward engineers, they just shut water supply for some time as a temporary relief but the situation repeats itself the next day.
Prajwal Sreenivas, a resident, points out, “This is an incomplete water line. Despite informing them about the leakage, the authorities have been releasing water which is flooding the road. It is sad to see such wastage of water. I wish someone could help us out of this misery.”
Rakesh Pradhan, a commuter says, “I take this route on a regular basis. Of late, I have been observing that the entire stretch is filled with water. The road is muddy. When I got curious and inquired with the local residents, they told me that a pipeline was leaking.” In fact, government reports say that 40% of Cauvery water that gets pumped into the city from about 140 km at a cost of Rs 300 crore a year, is said to be unaccounted for.
This is either wasted as a result of leaks or is stolen or not recorded because of faulty meters. Although the BWSSB took the initiative in 2012 to address a part of the problem through a project funded by Japan Bank of International Co-operation, the issue seems to persist in many parts of the city.
Anju Memon, another resident, says, “BWSSB only propagates save water campaign and rainwater harvesting but they are a partner in crime in wasting water. Here, we can see water being wasted. But a few wards away people are buying water from private tankers due to water shortage.”
In 2009, the BWSSB’s pilot project to fix leaks was carried out. The project covered an area of 16 sq km (21 DMAs) which comprised of 35,000 connections. Close to 12,000 leaks were found and rectified at a cost of about Rs 48 crore.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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