The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Check seepage: Minister

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Monday, Nov 10, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Check seepage: Minister

Staff Reporter

POOR MAINTENANCE: Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu during an inspection of Sankey Tank in Bangalore on Sunday.

Bangalore: Perturbed over the poor maintenance of Sankey Tank and seepage of sewage into it, Minister for IT/BT, BWSSB and Excise Katta Subramanya Naidu on Sunday directed the water board and Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials to stop the seepage by Monday.

The Minister, who inspected the tank following complaints from residents and walkers about the seepage of sewage into the tank, took the officials to task for not checking the steady flow of effluents and waste into the tank from the storm-water drains connected to it.

Members of Sankey Park Walkers’ Association staged a protest on Friday demanding proper maintenance of the tank. The members were disturbed as the seepage of sewage into the tank had contaminated the water killing the fish in the tank. The walkers had complained that the tank had become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The Minister, who was informed by the residents that sewage from some apartments and factories was being diverted into the tank, asked the officials to find out the point from where the waste water entered the tank. He directed the officials to initiate action against the builder and factory owners who were diverting the water into the drain.

BWSSB Chief Engineer (Maintenance) T. Venkataraju told the Minister that there are seven entry points to the tank.

“We are unable to find out from which point the seepage is happening. We will block all entries temporarily and construct a brick wall surrounding the tank to ensure proper maintenance,” he said.

Pointing out that the pathway and joggers’ track around the tank would be upgraded at a cost of Rs. 37 lakh, he said the tank water would be cleaned. Responding to another complaint by the residents about the incomplete construction work on the public toilet at the Sadashivnagar entrance, the Minister directed the Lake Development Authority to complete the work at the earliest.

Original maps

He also instructed the officials from BWSSB, BBMP and Deputy Commissioner (Urban) to prepare original maps of raja kaluves (main canals) in and around Bangalore. “This will help in identifying encroachment of raja kaluves. All such encroachments would be razed,” the Minister added.

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