Bengaluru: The residents of Jayanagar 9th Block are caught in a bind. Months ago the BWSSB announced it was going to change the old sewer pipelines, but it later said the replacement would come at a cost. Though every resident was initially told to pay Rs 500-1000, the contractors fleece them by demanding extra money. The residents lament they are being swindled.
“When I often read about scams and innocents getting cheated, I assumed the so-called literates like us can’t be taken for a ride. But with our government agencies, I have just been proven wrong. The corrupt system is beyond everything,” says an angry Subramanya, a resident of ‘D’ Main in Jayanagar 9th Block.
And the anger run across the many residents of Jayanagar 9th Block A, B, C and D main. Months ago when the BWSSB announced it was going to change the 50-year-old sewer pipelines in the locality, the residents in these areas welcomed the move. However, when the BWSSB said this replacement would come with a cost, most residents took it to the streets in protest as the felt that replacement was the water board’s responsibility.
“When our protests failed, we all agreed to the suggestion that we should get our pipelines repaired at a minimal cost. What we did not expect was that we were going to be fleeced,” Subramanya said.
While it was decided that every individual house should pay Rs 500 or 1000, the contractor and the workers demanded that they be given at least Rs 300-500 more. Since the BWSSB maintained it was not going to issue challans or receipts for the fee, the workers threatened not to complete the work, if they were not given the money, said Prayag, a resident of ‘C’ Main.
“Ever since the replacement works took off, there has been no clarity on the issue. We were told to pay Rs 500 or Rs 1000 but the work never got completed at this cost. The contractor accepts only cash and the BWSSB has not even issued a notification setting the amount to be paid. Why this lack of transparency?” he demanded.
Sukanya, another resident, complained that multiple visits to the BWSSB office proved futile as the officials concerned were not responsive. “I was told it was work at our homes and hence we should pay whatever was told to pay. That’s such a callous response. Yes, ' 500 or ' 1,000 is not a big money, but it doesn’t mean we should be cheated or fleeced. The residents are willing to pay, but we need more accountability,” she demanded.
I request residents not to get cheated: Govinda Naidu, Corporator, Jayanagar East ward
Why are residents made to pay for replacement of old sewer pipelines?
Since the BWSSB has not allocated any funds in its budget for replacement of old pipelines, the burden fell on the residents. Despite our protests and repeated demands that money should not be collected, they fell on deaf ears.
But why is there no transparency? Some residents are paying less, while many are forced to pay more?
Every individual house has been instructed to pay Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 depending on the road where the pipeline will be replaced.
However, some workers demand more as the BWSSB has not decided any fee. I have urged residents to be careful and not be cheated.
What does the BWSSB say?
Worried such a situation may arise, I requested former BWSSB chairman Vijay Bhaskar to issue a receipt or a challan. But Mr Bhaskar said it wasn’t the responsibility of the BWSSB. Now, the Board has washed it hands of and the residents are left in the lurch.
